Hindraf and the supremacy of State

Speculation is rife that the current ban on Hindraf is an aspect of Malaysia’s national security update.

Of unusual international importance is the fact that Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has, with a topical political touch, extended Deepavali greetings to the ‘Hindus’ among the country’s ethnic Indian minority.

Unlike in India, where even the greetings of interest to only some sections are extended to all citizens regardless of their sub-national identities, it is customary in Southeast Asia to specify the target group on such occasions. This, of course, is not the real issue at stake now in Muslim-majority and multicultural Malaysia, insofar its two-million-strong ethnic Indians are concerned.

The relevant point is that Mr. Najib, who has been designated by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to succeed him next year, linked the mystique of Deepavali to the challenges faced by the Indian-origin citizens today. Noting that the festival marked a traditional celebration of the triumph of good over evil, Mr. Najib expressed the hope that Malaysian ‘Hindus’ would, in that “spirit,” seek to “resolve any problem in the best way possible.” Why has he chosen to strike this line? The answer is not far to seek.

Malaysian Indians, many of them mobilised by the recently-banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) for over a year now, want to keep their grievances in global focus. And, Mr. Najib is equally determined to reassert the supremacy of the state. The authorities have recently taken actions that the opposition parties in the country see as a political “offensive” against an outfit with “a core human rights agenda.”

An alternative view, favoured by the Malaysian government, is that Hindraf, which began making its presence felt at the time of Deepavali last year, is divisively communalist, as different from being merely ethno-centric. The country’s social contract has fostered power-sharing among race-based political parties that are drawn from the ranks of either Malays or ethnic Chinese or, indeed, the people of Indian origin. However, these predominantly ethno-centric parties have, by and large, fought shy of readily accepting religion as the wellspring of a political or social outfit.

Striking example
A striking example is the general hostility of race-based parties in the ruling coalition towards Parti Islam-Se Malaysia (PAS). Over a noticeably long period, PAS stridently advocated Shariah-based Muslim polity as the best model for the country. In the run-up to the recent snap general election, though, PAS publicly gave up its political patent — the advocacy of an Islamic state. This aspect clearly helped the fast-changing party endear itself to secular voters across the spectrum. And today, PAS is a proactive member of the three-party opposition alliance, the People’s Pact, at the federal and state levels. Two of the Pact’s constituents are multi-racial in outlook, while PAS fielded an Indian-origin candidate for a state seat in the last poll.

Viewed in this perspective, Hindraf leaders have not tried so far to distance their outfit from its religious mooring. They have instead specialised in using the Hindu temple as “a safe sanctuary” to carry forward their campaign for a “fair deal” for the Indian-origin minority. The temple, they say, is the only platform accessible to them in the face of a “state-sponsored crackdown.”

Debatable as this argument might be, especially so in the eyes of the Malaysian government, the fact remains that Hindraf, proscribed with effect from October 15, had not adequately disputed its ‘religious orientation.’ On the other hand, Hindraf activists are often accused of having capitalised on the sentiments that gripped the ethnic Indians when an ‘unauthorised’ temple was demolished, for ‘development’ purposes, before Deepavali last year. Soon thereafter, this outfit, led by lawyers and other professionals, began articulating an ethnic Indian political agenda of seeking rights “on par” with those of the other communities. And, after Hindraf’s campaign picked up momentum, evident during a mass protest rally in Kuala Lumpur last November, a senior Malaysian Minister apologised for the temple demolition which had served as a ‘flash point.’

Five proactive Hindraf leaders — P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganapati Rao (also known as Ganabatirau), M. Manoharn, T. Kengadharan, and T. Vasanthakumar — were served with two-year detention orders last December under the Internal Security Act. The law provides for detention for prolonged periods without any formal charges and judicial trial. Another leader, P. Waytha Moorthy, who was abroad at the time his colleagues were detained, remains in self-imposed exile.

Political speculation is rife that the current ban on Hindraf is an aspect of Malaysia’s national security update, with or without reference to the ongoing preparations for a smooth transfer of power to Mr. Najib.

On a parallel track, Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has publicised his “plans” to unseat the present Prime Minister and form an alternative administration. Sympathetic to the cause of ethnic Indians, Mr. Anwar wants the equality-agenda articulated in a non-polarising fashion in multi-religious Malaysia. In another development in the opposition camp, PAS, shedding its ‘Islam-exclusive’ image, has now offered to mediate between Hindraf and the authorities.




P. S. Suryanarayana
The Hindu Press

MEMORANDUM DEMANDING REVOCATION OF THE BAN IMPOSED ON HINDRAF

FEDERATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS OF INDIA
8, Todarmal Lane, Bengali Market, New Delhi- 110 001Phone: 65288241, 23718929 Fax-0112371892926.10.2008


Duli Yang Maha MuliaAl-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal AbidinIbni Al-Marhum Sultan MahmudAl-Muktafi Billah Shah
Istana Negara
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia


Y.A.B. DATO’SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI
Prime Minister of Malaysia


Subject:- IMPOSITION OF BAN ON “HINDRAF”

Your Highness,
The citizens and Human Rights organisations of India have taken a serious note of the ban imposed on Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDFAF) by the Government of Malaysia. We are equally concerned about the detention of five members of HINDRAF.
We feel that the sole reason for the imposition of ban on HINDRAF and the detention of five members of HINDRAF, was for expressing concerns about the marginalization of ethnic South Asians within Malaysian society and specifically for organizing rallies.It is disheartening to know that all the detainees are being treated like criminals, but they have never been charged much less convicted of a crime.
We have been informed that at least 65 people are being held at Kamunting Detention Centre under the administrative detention provisions of the ISA. The Internal Security Act allows the police to arrest individuals they believe have acted, or are "about to" or "likely to" act in a way that would threaten Malaysian security, "essential services" or "economic life" (Article 73 (1)(b) and the detainees can be held for up to 60 days for investigation by the police, after which time the Home Minister can issue a two year detention order under the ISA.
The two year detention can be renewed indefinitely without the detainee ever being charged with a crime or tried in a court of law. As such the ISA is contrary to fundamental principles of international law, including the rightto liberty of the person, to freedom from arbitrary arrest, the presumption of innocence, and the right to fair and open trial in a court of law.
We demand that the Government of Malaysia should start the process to abolish thisdraconian legislation. We also demand that the ban imposed on HINDRAF should be revoked immediately and the five members of HINDRAF should be released without any precondition.


Rajesh Gogna
Convener
(FHROI)

Press Release - Malaysia Government Bans Minority Human Rights Organisation

The Hindu community has been suffering systemic persecution at the hand of the Muslim majority Malaysia. Laws have been passed to discriminate Hindus in jobs and other economic benefits which have been exclusively reserved for Muslims. Having silently suffered since independence for over 60 years, the community had decided to form a non political organisation in the name of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) in order to raise a united minority voice.

Over 80 Hindu temples including one over 100 years old MAHA MARIAMAN TEMPLE at Padang Jawa have been demolished under fake reasons. No alternative facilities were given to the community for their religious rights. The Hindu priests were beaten up and the statutes of Hindu deities were dishonoured.

In November 2007 the community had decided to hold a demonstration in front of the British high Commission to hand over a petition demanding intervention of the British government acknowledging that it was the British who brought them to Malaysia under indentured labour policy.

The Malaysian government had then banned the demonstration and had fired tear gas and water cannons at over 20 thousands demonstrators who had gathered there. They had arrested many of them but owing to the intervention of international media they had decided to let them go except, however, more than 100 were charged with fake criminal offences. They also arrested the five leaders of the Hindraf and charged them under draconian ISA law, which is detention without trial for anti-state activities.

The Malaysian Government has also cancelled the passport of the chairman of Hindraf Mr. P Waytha Moorty who had come to the UK in order to draw attention for the plight of his community and have thus made Mr. Moorthy a stateless person without any passport. The atrocities of the Malaysian government are still continuing. Two weeks ago after banning HINDRAF, last week they arrested on remand eleven persons including a woman who had gone to convey Dewali greetings to the Prime Minister and to request him to release the arrested Hindus before Dewali festival.

Hindu Council UK severely condemns the actions of the Malaysian government and requests:
1. That the ban on Hindraf is lifted and the Hindu minority community should be accorded with legitimate human rights.
2. That the criminal cases against leaders of Hindraf should be withdrawn and the HINDRAF leaders released unconditionally.
3. That the UK government as head of the commonwealth should prevail upon the Malaysian government to adhere to the charter of universal human rights and safeguard the interests of the Hindu minority.

Suraj Sehgal
Director for Defence and Security
Hindu Council UK

Note : Hindu Council UK (HCUK) is the foremost and largest national network of the Hindu temple bodies and cultural organisations co-ordinating all different schools of Hindu theology within the UK. HCUK is the representative umbrella body for the British Hindu issues for which a UK wide mandate was received during a two year consultation with the British Hindu public culminating in its launch in November 1994.
HCUK Admin Office: Boardman House, 64 The Broadway, London E15 1NG. T: 020 8432 0400 W: www.hinducounciluk.org F: 020 8432 0393

HINDRAF may re-emerge as political entity

The federal government ban on Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) may pave the way for disgruntled ethnic Indians into championing their cause through political platforms.

The ban has resulted in Hindraf’s key leaders mulling how the movement and its 100,000 followers could play a role in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

It has been suggested that Hindraf followers can join either DAP, PAS or PKR en bloc or form a separate political entity and join Pakatan as equal partners. These suggestions were made during a meeting last week of some 100 Hindraf coordinators from across the country to discuss the post-ban scenerio.

It was agreed in principle during the meeting that the movement now needed a stronger platform to continue their struggle and air their grievances. Hindraf state coordinators are now gathering feedback from grassroots on the issue.

Although Hindraf followers are not completely satisfied with the performance of Pakatan elected representatives in handling problems faced by the Indian community, the coalition is still favoured against the Barisan Nasional. “Pakatan is the lesser evil than BN,” one Hindraf leader told Malaysiakini.

Pakatan not perfect Penang Hindraf deputy coordinator Sanjeeviramah Subramani noted that some Indian elected representatives in Pakatan-ruled states of Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor have failed to live up to expectations. "Penang reps fared the worst compared with others and some have even backstabbed and badmouthed Hindraf after riding on the Makkal Sakti wave to success in the last general election. "Nonetheless, Hindraf needs a platform to champion its cause and the current ideal solution is to join a vibrant political front like Pakatan," he said.Should Hindraf supporters join forces with Pakatan, the movement would still be guided by its 18-point memorandum submitted to the government last year.

Hindraf, which was never a registered body, was banned by the Home Minister early last month after its activists paid a visit to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Hari Raya open house. The ban was seen by Hindraf supporters as a form of revenge by the BN after the movement was widely credited to have triggered a revolt against the coalition during the March 8 general election.

Watha: Ban futile

It is believed that the majority of Hindraf supporters would prefer to form a new political party and join Pakatan, but they fear that a registration process would be hampered by the Barisan government. By joining en bloc in a single Pakatan coalition, Hindraf supporters are also hoping to break up Indian-based parties such as MIC, PPP and IPF by wooing their members.

In his email to Malaysiakini, Hindraf London-based leader P Waythamoorthy said the organisation cannot be stifled with a mere ban. He warned that Hindraf would follow the Hindu universal laws on darma, karma and reincarnation to re-emerge as a forceful movement for Indians and Malaysians in general. "Hindraf would soon emerge in a new body, a much energized and energetic human rights force which would lead us to greater democratic heights. "The government can ban Hindraf, but not the Makkal Sakti fervour," said the Waytha Moorthy who is in self-imposed exile in London following a government crackdown on Hindraf in December last year.

Indian marginalisation clear-and-present

So Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar – in a decision, as he puts it, of self-sacrifice for the sake of protecting society – has banned Hindraf.

Similar home ministerial valour must have been present when he chose to detain Raja Petra, Teresa Kok, Tan Hoon Cheng and hundreds of others under the ISA.

Many Malaysians have expressed their outrage at the latest cruel and callous act of repression against a civil group which has highlighted the continuing plight of marginalised Malaysian Indians.
I would like to examine an aspect: the assertion that Malaysian Indians are not marginalised and are actually doing better than Bumiputera Malaysians, and thus, they have no grounds to feel aggrieved, let alone angry. This is a cynical and specious claim.
We should first take note of the often ignored fact that the Malaysian Indian community is diverse, stratified and complex. Like any other.

Some are rich, some are part of the middle class, some are poor; some are posited in the mainstream, some are at the margins – and some are beyond the margins, trapped in urban squalor. The imperative question is whether the concerns of the Indian poor are being addressed by our government's attitudes and policies.
But the ruling regime would rather treat groups as monolithic blobs, then go about brandishing statistics to preempt debate - and stamp the lowly back into their place.

And so, in dismissing Hindraf's cause, Syed Hamid invoked the reality of high proportions of Indians among registered legal professionals (21.4 percent) and among doctors (18.4 percent), and the ratio of Indian to Bumiputera household incomes, of… 1.20. That's right, according to 2007 household income survey data, Indian households on average have 20 percent more income than Bumiputera households.
Is there something wrong with these figures? Why has the message of Hindraf resonated when official data paint opposing images of social mobility and nice averages?

There is no need to question the numbers, but every need to handle them responsibly, within context and in recognition of their limited scope. These bits of information provide no basis to conclude that all of the community is doing well and should therefore shut up and get on with their happy lives.

In fact, we do have evidence that Malaysians Indians are struggling as much as others to earn a decent living.

Averaging numbers
Of course there are many Indian lawyers and doctors – who’s not cognisant of that? But there are far more Indian labourers, factory workers, and others at the low reaches of the labour market. It is highly probable that the household income of the Indian community is propped up by the high earnings of professionals and managers.
Meagre family incomes of displaced agricultural workers and urban elementary workers get shrouded in the process of averaging the incomes of all Indian families.
Consider some changes that have taken place in the past decade or so.

In 1995, 17.7 percent of employed Indians worked as agricultural labor, while 8.7 percent were in professional and technical occupations.
By 2005, only 4.9 percent of employed Indians were agricultural workers, but 20.1 percent worked as professionals and technicians.
Albeit rather cursorily, we gain some impression here of developments at two ends of the socio-economic hierarchy: the continuous urbanisation of a low-skilled former plantation workforce; a steadily growing presence in highly qualified jobs providing middle class living standards. In what sort of jobs are most Indians working? Within communities, Indians registered the highest proportion of persons classified as production workers.



In 2005, 45.8 percent of employed Indians fell in this category, compared to 33.8 percent Chinese and 34.1 percent Bumiputera. Due to the unfree state of information in this land, the most we can do with officially disclosed statistics is make deductions and inferences such as these. We are still left with a knowledge gap.

However, a study by Branko Milanovic, a World Bank researcher and renowned scholar of global inequality, helps fill the void¹.
He analysed Malaysia's household income data of 1997. This is from the national survey that the Statistics Department conducts twice in five years, from which all the inequality measurements we know are calculated.
One difference with the official accounts is that Milanovic focussed on individual earnings (wages, salaries and bonuses) instead of household income (the sum of household members' earnings, property income and remittances). His findings are therefore more reflective of the earnings capacity of Malaysians in the labour market.

The housewife factor
The study analyses inequality more generally, but in the process finds something very striking: in 1997, the ratio of Indian to Bumiputera individual earnings was 0.98.
The official figure for Indian: Bumiputera household income was 1.41. In other words, the average earnings of individual Indians was basically the same as the average earnings of individual Bumiputera, even though average household incomes were quite unequal.
How might this be possible?
In terms of the gap between individual earnings inequality and household income inequality, we could postulate that combined earnings of Indians, especially in households with both spouses in professional jobs, raised their income to levels significantly higher than Bumiputera households.
This is a guess, and that's as far as we can go with available data.
What's not a guess is this objective report that average individual earnings of Indians and Bumiputeras were equal in 1997.
In 2007, with an Indian-to-Bumiputera household income ratio of 1.20, what might the inter-group earnings ratio look like? We don't know, but it is more than likely that the ratio is less than 1.20.
It is possible that earnings are on average close to equal, or that Indian earnings are less than Bumiputera earnings.
Consider recent data on the distribution of employed persons by occupation.
In 2005, with 45.8 percent of the total employed Indians engaged as production workers and 4.9 percent as agricultural workers, it is plausible that average individual earnings are on par with the average among employed Bumiputera, of whom 34.1 percent are production workers and 15.2 percent are agricultural workers.
These two low-paying occupational groups account for about 50 percent of employed persons of both race groups.
Again, we won't have a clear picture unless we have access to data and can engage in constructive discussion.

Hindraf has grounds
We have a clear enough picture, however, to affirm the plight of marginalised Indian households, whose tough circumstances in labour markets and poor living conditions are a shameful reality that cannot be garbed in middle-class statistics.
Hindraf has grounds for grievance – yes, even in the official data, if only we would take a more balanced and critical look.
And we could better understand this whole inequality thing, and devise fairer and more effective policies, if the ruling regime would release more information to our - um - knowledge society.
Resistance towards extending the same policies to members of the Indian community as currently provided to Bumiputera is partly predicated on official household income statistics.
But they give us an oversimplified and selective glimpse to a complex of problems.
It is high time to reevaluate the way we assess income and earnings and to aim assistance at the people who need or merit it most.
¹ Branko Milanovic (2006) "Inequality and Determinants of Earnings in Malaysia, 1984-97", in the Asian Economic Journal, 20(2).

ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD DROP ALL CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST HINDRAF SUPPORTERS

RE: ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD DROP ALL CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST HINDRAF SUPPORTERSCRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST HINDRAF SUPPORTERS POLITICALLY MOTIVATEDATTORNEY GENERAL PROMOTING HATRED AGAINST THE JUSTICE SYSTEM BY VIOLATING ARTICLE 8 OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.

HINDRAF calls on the Attorney General to drop all criminal charges against HINDRAF supporters arrested and charged for attending the peaceful gathering last November 25th.

Public confidence on the administration of justice in this country is seriously eroded with the selective arrest and prosecution of HINDRAF supporters.

The Attorney General is vested the highest prosecutorial power in the land by the DYMM Yang Dipertuan Agong under Article 145 of the Federal Constitution and it is incumbent upon him to exercise his duties judiciously without fear or favour and in the best interest of the Country.
HINDRAF questions the motive of the Attorney General in the selective arrest and prosecutions especially when it involved the ethnic Indian community. The recent Muslim mob, which confronted and disrupted the Bar Council forum, was aided and abetted by the Royal Police Force and the aggressive protesters were given full protection by the Police. None were arrested nor was there any criminal investigations instituted. It was obvious the Royal Police Force were acting against the spirits of Article 8 of the Federal Constitution for the simple reason that these protesters were Muslims.

Justice system should work in tandem with the democratic need of the rakyat (people) but if the rakyat began to lose hope and despise the system , the country would be lead in the dark alleys of anarchy.

The Malaysian public has not forgotten the sins of the Attorney General in vindictively charging 31 peaceful devotees of Batu Caves with attempted murder for the alleged assault on one policeman, linking them with terrorist organisations, and objecting bail on grounds of National Security. Finally when his thirst was quenched with the arrest of the 4 HINDRAF lawyers all that he could say was “it was only the fairest thing to do” to drop the attempted murder charge.

The Malaysian Indians had enough and do not let them despise you (Mr.AG) and the Justice system of this country.

It is now time to decide what is the fairest thing to do and it would be to withdraw all criminal charges against these more than 100 innocent people who have been made scapegoats by the political system of this country. They have suffered enough and do not oppress them any further.

HINDRAF calls you to exercise your utmost discretion and powers conferred upon you by the DYMM Yang Dipertuan Agong under Article 145 of the Federal Constitution to immediately withdraw all criminal charges against the more than 100 charged with various offences related to the November 25th peaceful assembly.

P. Waytha Moorthy

CHAIRMAN - HINDRAF

Currently in London

An open letter to all HINDRAF supporters

I refer to the various press releases issued by various quarters today in all 3 Tamil Dailies on the saga affecting HINDRAF.

For many Malaysians HINDRAF only gives an impression of a struggle on November 25th and the power of people's Makkal Sakti displayed on the day. It was a proud day for all Malaysian Indians as for once Indians in Malaysia were united for a single cause ie to make their plight known to the world.

But what people did not know that HINDRAF was initiated on a serious issue affecting the rights of non-muslims as a result of the M.Moorthy case in December 2005.

I myself was not directly involved in public life or on the forefront of defending Human Rights though Uthayakumar was well known then. At the most I was involved on the background in helping Uthayakumar in his cases particularly in the death in Police custody and the shoot to kill policy. I was a member of a social organization called Vivekananda Youth Movement in Seremban.

But the way the M.Moorthy issue was handled by NGO's in Malaysia including the MCCBHS was appalling that I decided that I was not going to let this pass like any other issues that went unnoticed and swept under the carpet. That was when with the help of Ramaji about 30 organisation representatives gathered at P.Uthayakumar's office and HINDRAF was formed as a coalition but unfortunately most of these organisations left within 2 weeks and I was left in the lurch without a committee. Despite this, single handedly I campaigned on the rights of non Muslims to practise their religion at the International level when I went on an international campaign in January 2006. I was the first person in Malaysia to raise these serious violations of Human Rights particularly religious freedom at the International Forum i.e. at the US State Department, US Foreign Relations Committee, US Human Rights Caucus, various Senators and Congressman, Human Rights Watch (the most powerful human rights organisation in USA). From there I came to London to lobby support from the Amnesty International which had its International Headquarters in London, UK Parliament and met various MP's. I made sure all these campaigns were published in the Malaysian mediabut because religion was a sensitive issue in Malaysia only malaysiakini carried the news.

All these I did at the expense of scarifying my legal practice for more than a month, and at my own expenses with the help of an individual who was kind enough to understand my financial burden. Most Indians never knew what and how I single handedly struggled during these times and the risk of being arrested under ISA for raising the matter at International level.

In March 2006 just after I returned I was approached by a small temple in Bangsar which was more than 100 years old which was demolished on 26th March 2006. Upon receiving call I attended to this temple and worked on the issue for more than 20 hours non stop and made sure this small poor working class temple demolition should not be swept under the carpet as usual and it became international news when wire agencies throughout the world picked up the news.

It was after this that Uthayakumar offered to help me and together we raise issues of thousands of Hindu temples being demolished in Malaysia. At the height of this I did a second International lobby for the issue. I and Uthayakumar can prove that we had written hundreds of letters/appeals/memorandums to the Agong,Sultans,PM,Attorney General,IGP, and world organisations. All these were done at our own expense which went into thousands of Ringgit. No one came forward to help us then. Demonstrations and protests were then pathetic with a handful of people beginning with about 20 people including me uthayakumar and my family members which included my only daughter who was only about 3 years old then. Demonstrations and protests were at its infancy stage.

Demonstrations in front of Bukit Aman were unthinkable. Demonstrations in the office building of the Attorney General (not outside) must have taken a lot of guts and to convince the handful of people to do it was a greater challenge. I can go on with the feats at Istana, sultans palace parliaments ect. Standing in front of the bulldozers at demolition of temple sites and getting manhandled by police and arrested was a norm then and we had good sympathisers like Manickavasagam and Jayathas who were equally roughed up. Where was the man who has been claiming he was the FOUNDER of Hindraf and where was the so called Secretary. I have evidence of photographs and video of these protests. On one occasion they attended, one was standing at the end of the crowd and another claimed he had headache and was sitting on the ground. It is only fair to say that while all these new kind of challenge was thrown at the Malaysian Government both Uthayakumar and myself had the genuine sympathy of two great personalities M.Manoharan and R.Kengadharan who had offered their legal services as their contribution to the cause. We were relieved that one big burden was taken off our shoulders by these 2 lawyers and wecould concentrate on the main issues.

But the point is most Malaysians never knew this history of HINDRAF. November 25th never came on its own. It came after I had decided to gamble all within myself to file a class action against the UK Government. Road shows we conducted throughout the country attended by thousands of curious supporters who wanted to know what the suit was about. The thousands who attended were impressed that we had a plan and vision for the Indian community. I had maintained that HINDRAF never had any political intentions, however we had political friends like Manoharan, Manickam, Jayathas and. It was during this time when suddenly Uthayakumar said we have the services of 2 new personalities Ganapathi Rao and Vasanthakumar. They joined us from September 2007 onwards (before we started the Roadshows) enthusiastically and we believed their sincerity. Ganapathi Rao being a lawyer was given opportunities to speak at our road shows on Malaysian Budget. Vasanthakumar had helped to organise printing and other ground work. Upon his suggestion I later appointed him (upon my honest trust) as the pro tem Treasurer after which he opened a bank account under HINDRAF ENTERPRISE.

So in total the contributions of these 2 personalities were for 2 ½ months prior to their arrests under the ISA. They were not even there at the forum which adopted the 18 points demand that were to be submitted to the PM on 12th August 2007.

If their contributions are more than this then they should put it in writing for all to see what they had actually contributed.

This doesn't mean I do not appreciate their contributions. They have no doubt done their part. Though inJanuary 2008 I discovered Vasanthakumar was planted by Police special branch to infiltrate HINDRAF I still took it upon me to campaign for his release as well for I appreciated whatever he had done during this short period. I had concealed the fact to protect the integrity of the new freedom movement which found genuine support from the masses who had placed their hope on this organisation to advocate their rights.

The two great personalities Manoharan and Kengadharan merely acted as Counsels and lawyers for Uthayakumar, I and the hundreds others who were later arrested on November 2007. For this there had to pay a high price i.e. arrest under the ISA. These were the information I had given to all my International lobby including the International Bar Association i.e. that Lawyers are detained for performing their duties.

HINDRAF's struggle is noble. I have always maintained my personal belief that this is a dharmic war and if it is indeed a dharmic war we would win eventually albeit all the backstabbing and badmouthing.

From September 2007 (road shows) thousands of well wishers had approached me for membership forms. I had always told them that if they were a true believer in the 18 point demands that we had submitted to the PM on 12th August 2008 and are willing to fight for their rights without fear or personal gain then they were members and there was no need for a registration form and subscription.

Though I left the country upon my release on 28th November 2008 I had done and am still doing all within my strength and capability to seek the release of the 5 detained. I had used my personal funds to travel throughout India UK Europe Geneva. The issue of the 5 HINDRAF leaders has been raised in the Tamil Nadu Parliament immediately upon my arrival in India thereafter in Parliament In New Delhi, Indian PM and Foreign Minister, Leaders of the opposition House of Parliament, Madam Jayalalitha, Vaico, The Dalai Lama, UK Parliament, British MP's, House of Lords, The Parliament at Scotland,The Foreign and Commonwealth Office,the Commonwealth Secretariat, Amnesty International., Human Rights Trusts UK, Minority Rights International, International Bar Association, UK Bar Association, Law Society for England and Wales, World Organisation against Torture based in Geneva, United Nations Human Rights Council, International Red Cross, FIDH in France, Human Rights Commission in Brussels, Human Rights Commission in Holland, European Parliament to name some of the work I have done.

By using my base in England I managed to get abriefing organised for the first time at the US Congress on 8th April 2008 which was attended by Senators and Congressman, Civil and Human Rights organisations in US and the Malaysian embassy which was severally embarrassed. This was seen as an act of betrayal by the UMNO Government and hence they revoked my passport immediately. I am now a stateless person for doing what I felt right for Malaysian Indians.
While doing all the above I also manage HINDRAF from London and wherever I travelled. I plan the campaigns in Malaysia for the release of the 5 and for the basic rights of Malaysian Indians as per the 18 point demands submitted. I not only plan but execute the campaign in Malaysia from where I am. For this I have thousands of well wishers on the ground who take instructions from me and my 10 member interim committee which I formed in February 2008.

Today we have been stabbed by many within us. To cover himself Vasanthakumar has made accusations via his wife attacking me as a coward who ran away from problems and Raidu who had accused me of using children.

I sympathise for Mrs Vasanthakumar and her family for the naive hope and belief that has been placed before the truth by sinister. I offer my apologies to her for having to expose her husband at this stage.

As for Raidu he is not worth my effort to respond as his statements are sheer evil and ominous statements. He was a boy sitting in the front row of every road shows and enthusiastically clapping hands whenever each speaker made their points as if he was enlightened for the first time.

I urge all genuine HINDRAF supporters to remain calm, focussed and let us maintain our phase to seek ourdemocratic rights. I maintain HINDRAF is not a membership seeking organisation nor is it keen to mislead the people.

We are here to advocate our basic rights even if it means permanent incarceration.

P.Waytha Moorthy

Chairman HINDRAF

Currently in London

Two artificial Malays and A Indian Villian

Things in Malaysia are surely becoming bitchy.

First and foremost, a Malay UMNO Bukit Bendera, Ahmad Ismail (A.I) and his 'pendatang' remark. My, how this issue has exploded. First his disappearance, then Pak Lah telling 'I'll tell him no to do it again', then Najib publicly apologizing for A.I's remarks and on behalf of UMNO, to A.I's press conference yesterday where he flatly refused to apologize.

Here, another Malay, a blast from the past, wades in, Tun Dr.M, the guy who does not seem to realize he has already retired (Perhaps old age contributes to amnesia?). At 83 years old, when most of his age would already be in a coffin six feet under, the former Prime Minister thinks he is still the Prime Minister and thus needs to comment on ever issue affecting Malaysia every 3 seconds. Perhaps due to old age and declining mental faculties, he does not realize the meaning of the word 'former'.

Anyway, the jolly old Dr.M gives his ever flowing comments from his never wrong, know it all 83 year old mind. He said that A.I does not need to apologize, in fact ex-Prime Minister asked why must Malay leaders say sorry. Of course, the old man thought this was still the time when he reigned supreme over the land, where once his word was the law.The old man didn't expect the backlash from the blogosphere and the Internet over his comments. People expressed disgust at him (once an offence punishable by ISA) and called him a racist and even questioned Dr.M (once, you could have been hauled up in court and charged with sodomy for that)

Of course, once his mind came back to 2008, he realized the mistake and backtracked, saying that he was not defending A.I and he didn't like what Ahmad had said. He explained he was merely expressing disgust at the Malay leaders' s inability to control racism and the culprit should be hauled up to the UMNO Disciplinary Committee if he refused to apologize. (Where I'm guessing he'd probably be awarded with a keris and celebrated with a kenduri)Yeah, right......Is this a case of one Ultra defending another Ultra?There is an interesting parallel.

Remember what Mahathir said about George Soros, the Jewish American investor/financier, whom Mahathir blamed for the Asian Economic Crisis? Remember how he ranted and raved against Soros? He blasted Soros, accusing him of this and that and maintaining that Soros was to blame. Look at the picture below, funny how old age affects your mind doesn't it?

You know, a lot of accusations has been hurled at Anwar that he has the support of the US and he was going to 'sell' the nation to the US after he becomes PM. Much has also been bandied about that Anwar was close to Wolfowitz and many Jews.Now, look at the picture above. That is Dr.M and the man supposedly responsible for the Asian Economic Crisis of 1997, George Soros. Look at the picture... Awwwww... Doesn't Dr.M look so happy?Remember that Dr.M once said in a speech that 'the Jews rule the world by proxy'? If Dr.M's 83 year old mind has forgotten, George Soros is Jewish, he is a Jew. So, Dr.M is shaking the hand of a Jew, taking into consideration his own speech, does this mean he is also a proxy of the Jews?

Hilarious!Anyhow, we passed the two Malays and now we come to the Indian in question. No good story would be complete without a Tamil film villain. Who is he? Probably the most famous Indian ever in Malaysia. A man dubbed 'The Lord of the Indians', he is none other that Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.Of course, the former Works Minister and the still reigning MIC supremo has been out of the news a while after his thumping and utterly humiliating defeat in the last general elections, where, even for his considerably bloated girth, he too was uprooted by the political tsunami.

Why is he in the news?Malaysia today had an article on it, 'How Samy made 50 million with a stroke of a pen'. Of course, for us common folk who have to languish and work hard just for RM 50, we thought this was a heartfelt public tip provided by Samy Vellu on how to increase our income in face of tough times.Turns out it was a report on how Samy allegedly bought a state owned land for RM 3.8million. The problem was the land was worth RM 52 million, not to mention it was slated for a school. Bought under the MIC's name, Samy was named as the beneficiary on the title and the MIC as only trustee. Don't take my word for it, look at the documents.

Where is our nation heading to?

Into the pockets of our politicians?

One wonders what is Pak Lah doing...

courtesy of lost*3

Two female Hindraf activists released

Two women, who were among the nine Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) activists detained in yesterday’s protest in Seberang Jaya, were released at 2pm today after being held in police custody for nearly 20 hours.

The remaining seven, including Hindraf national coordinator TS Thanenthiran, have been shifted from the Central Seberang Perai district police headquarters to the North Seberang Perai district police headquarters this morning.KR Santhi, 30, and K Saratha, 34, were released on police bail after Hindraf Perak coordinator A Vethamurthy signed the documents as their guarantor.

When contacted, Santhi said the police recorded statements from all nine activists following their arrest over a protest against a splinter group, which also claimed to represent Hindraf, outside a Chinese temple.

She said the nine were questioned for nearly 12 hours before the women were locked up in a cell until their release.

The activists led by Thanenthiran protested against the splinter group, led by VK Regu and the saffron-clad M. Ramachandran, also known as Ramaji, for organising a Hindu religious prayer under Hindraf’s name at a Chinese temple in Seberang Jaya, which is under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency.

Regu said the event was organised by a Makkal Sakthi movement in collaboration with an NGO to seek divine intervention to secure the release of the five Hindraf leaders detained under the Internal Security Act.It was also done to urge Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to fulfil Hindraf’s 18-point memorandum on Indian affairs submitted to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last year.

Candlelight vigil
Hindraf’s self-exiled chairperson P Waythamoorthy told Malaysiakini via telephone that Regu and Ramaji were no longer involved in Hindraf activities for working against the minority rights group interests.

Hindraf legal advisor P Uthayakumar, T Vasantha Kumar and lawyers M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan and V Ganabatirau have been detained for two years under the ISA.During the protest, the activists called on Regu and Ramaji not to use Hindraf for their own interests.
Meanwhile, some 50 activists held a candlelight vigil against the arrest outside the SPT police headquarters in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam for nearly eight hours.

PKR parliamentarians Sivarasa Rasiah, Tian Chua and N. Gobalakrishnan, and Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar were present to give support.

They said that the arrest was uncalled for and could have been avoided.

How Permatang Pauh is spilling over on to all of us - a report of what happened at the Karu Mariamman Temple in Butterworth

Permatang Pauh is spilling all over in Penang.

First, the Prime Minister wanted to create a sort of a coup by upstaging Hindraf in appearing at one of their functions impromptu in Butterworth yesterday.

Just, what we did not know yesterday, but do know today is that this is another one of those staged events. The event was organised by two renegade Indians who go by the names of Ramaji and Regu. Ramaji was a founding member of HINDRAF but who has since strayed into treacherous territory. It looks like these two have been in contact with the PM on this matter before the event. Even though this is a bit of speculation on my part, events do definitely suggest it.

But boy, was the PM in for a surprise. The people who were there at the place gave Pak Lah a treatment he is not going to easily forget. Remember what Samy Vellu got just prior to the general elections in March.

I was not personally there but I did see two clips on the phone camera on a friends phone, which we will try to upload soon. The crowd that had gathered there quickly polarised on Pk Lah's entrance to the scene. The people immediately who felt violated by Pak lah's presence began a spontaneous protest . Pak Lah was booed. This was what was captured in the video clip. Quite some booing I must say. Pak Lah left soon afterwards after receiveing this rather unwelcome treatment.

Video: PM's unwelcome:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzml_rp-Ywc

Then a little later, after further protestation by the group, as the crowd was dispersing the National Hindraf Coordinator, the Penang State Hindraf Coordinator and several other Hindraf activists and supporters were arrested by the police.

While all this was happening there was a Jalur Gemilang launching event going on in the Island by Hindraf. The participants of that event were notified and many of them headed for the Bandar Perda Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah on the mainland. There were already many supporters gathered at the Police station by about 10 pm when they were joined from those on the Island. There were around 200-250 supporters outside the police station. Some senior PKR politicians were there - at least 4 of them. The press was abundantly present too, the people were milling about outside the police station, waiting for word about the release of those remanded. Finally at around 3.00 am word came out definitively that they could at best be released the following day. The group made a decision to disperse and reconvene at 10.am today to continue to show support for those remanded.

All of this is just the personal side of the how the system in our contry really operates.The people are increasingly become aware of the reality of the system. All these days the people have been cheated and lied to and made to feel as if the problems they faced were all of their own making. The reality is that a coterie has taken hold of the reins of power in our country and through treachery want to continue their control with brazen acts of power.

The people at times like this are directly confronted with the truth and awareness is growing. The Indian people of Penang are awakening with every such event to a better understanding of what this system really is like. The people of Permatang Pauh are recently getting a strong dose of this reality too daily, which spills over to all the rest of us in incidents like what happened at the KaruMariamman temple in Butterworth yesterday

But the people will ultimately and surely prevail.
United we stand
United we act.




courtesy of nayagan

HINDRAF BETRAYED FROM WITHIN

HINDRAF135-3 JALAN TOMAN 7KEMAYAN SQUARE70200 SEREMBAN
BRIEF PRESS STATEMENT 23RD AUGUST 2008-08

RE: ISA DETAINEE VASANTHAKUMAR A SPECIAL BRANCH PLANTRAMACHANDRAN MEYAPPAN & V.K.REGU HAVE BEEN RECRUITED ASGOVERNMENT AGENTS TO BETRAY HINDRAF CAUSE.

ISA detainee Vasanthakumar had volunteered to join HINDRAF in September 2007 and according to him at that time he was “waiting for someone to do something drastic” and the fact that I had filed an action against the UK Government attracted him to join HINDRAF. He had then served as a volunteer and I offered him to undertake the post of pro tem treasurer.
It came to my attention in January 2008 that Vasanthakumar has been planted by the Police Special Branch to infiltrate HINDRAF and upon further investigations the fact became apparent.
In March 2008 I was informed by two top Government officers on separate occasions confirming Vasanthakumar was assigned to break up HINDRAF lawyers in detention and the organisation from his detention. He had since met with various people from within HINDRAF to break the organization.

V.K.Regu though was a Pro tem Secretary of HINDRAF but was removed personally by me in October 2007 for undertaking activities against the interests of HINDRAF.
Upon the arrest of the 5 I had appointed a 10 member interim committee of which Tanendran was made the National Co-ordinator and Ramachandran Meyappan alias Ramaji was made the Spiritual Advisor of HINDRAF.

Recent events have shown that Ramaji and Regu had made frequent visits to KEMTA prison to meet Vasanthakumar secretly and they had colluded to break up HINDRAF and take over the registration of HINDRAF as an organization.

Ramaji and Regu had various secret and unauthorised meetings with the Prime Ministers Department, the PM’s Private Secretary and top MIC leaders over the last 5 months and I have evidence of this. It is now clear that all their activities thus far is to break up HINDRAF and take over the leadership of HINDRAF together with Vasanthakumar upon his release from ISA

It wouldn’t be a surprise that the Government would approve the registration of HINDRAF as a legitimate organisation but the approval would be handed over to Regu Ramaji and Vasanthakumar and other MIC proxies so that the unity and power that HINDRAF has displayed under the MAKKAL SAKTI would be permanently be damaged and shattered.

I apologize to all HINDRAF supporters for concealing these crucial facts all these while. I did this solely to protect the unity and integrity of HINDRAF and to avoid the breakup of HINDRAF. I sincerely believed that the release of the 5 including Vasanthakumar is of utmost importance for the sake of HINDRAF’S struggle.

What transpired today at Butterworth is a blatant insult to the intelligence of all HINDRAF supporters. Ramaji and Regu had placed various advertisements and news in the local tamil daily over the last few days about gathering 20 000 people for a Yaagam for the release of the 5 HINDRAF and for the promotion of the 18 demands submitted by HINDRAF in August 2007 under their organisations ie HSS (Hindu Sevai Sangam) and an organisation loosely named Makkal Sakti.

This event that was organised deliberately in the Permatang Pauh Constituency where there the Ex deputy Prime Minister is contesting in a by-election next Tuesday. By using the name Makkal sakti both ramaji and Regu had expected a huge crowd to bolster their grip on HINDRAF by the Prime Minister personally attending their Maha Yagam which was organised in a Chinese Temple (1st time of its kind) and entertained by a local famous pop band group.

I urge all HINDRAF supporters to remain calm during this crucial moment and urge all look out for news in our website www.hindraf.org and www.hindraf.co.uk for the latest news.

As the Chairman of this organisation I take full responsibility for the damage caused to the divine struggle of this organisation and extend my sincere apologies to all our supporters. Let us all unite to fight the betrayers within us who are up for selfish gain and to break the unity that never was seen prior to this within our community over the last 51 years.

May the blessings of the almighty be showered upon us on this crucial period and I seek his guidance to take me in the right path.



P.Waytha MoorthyChairman
HINDRAF
Currently in London
Waytha@hotmail.com

THE COUNTRY WE LOVE

Dr. Mahathir Mohamad speaks on July 27, 2008

1. When we became independent in 1957 nobody gave us much of a chance to make any progress beyond what had been achieved under the British.

2. I myself at that time thought that the only difference independence would make would be Malaysians would take over the administration of the country from the British. Nothing much more than that.

3. The other day I was given a copy of a news sheet called "Opinion" of November 1968, which I remember was edited and produced by Sulaiman Alias, one of the young political activist in UMNO.

4. It was quite a liberal paper and contained articles by such well-known personalities as Dr Lim Chong Eu (Gerakan), Dr R Kumar (Labour Party), Lim Kit Siang (DAP), Syed Hussain Ali (Parti Rakyat), Tengku Zaid (PMIP), Goh Cheng Teik, Ismail Ghani and several others.

5. I was also a contributor writing "In Defense of Feudalism". I was a Member of Parliament then.

6. The article that most interested me was one by Dr Lim Chong Yah, an economist, entitled "The Future of Malaysian Economy".

7. In it he gave a picture of the Malaysian Economy in 1967, 10 years after Merdeka.

8. The population was a mere 10 million and we were reproducing at 3.7% per annum. Our death rate had decreased from 12% to 7% which resulted in a natural increase of 3% p.a., a high rate, he noted.

9. Assuming decreasing death rate and also decreasing birth rate, the 3% population growth would likely continue over the next 10 years bringing the population to 13 million in 1977.

10. Dr Lim thought that national income should increase at 3% p.a. over the 1967 per capital (sic) income of USD940 p.a. But at 3% rate of growth the gap between us and the rich countries would widen.

11. Still the other developing countries would be behind us. However at 3% growth we would not be able to create jobs at 100,000 p.a. The rate of growth of national income should be 5%.

12. Investment growth (domestic) would not be able to do this.

13. If foreign investment makes up 4% of growth then it may be possible to achieve the necessary rate of investment for creating 100,000 jobs per annum.

14. It was a time when the rubber estates and tin mines were still owned by foreigners. Bringing in foreign capital sounded like increasing overdependence on foreign enterprise. We did not quite relish the idea of more foreign involvement in our newly independent country.

15. But without capital inflow unemployment would be 200,000 by 1977. Together with 160,000 unemployed in 1967, the rate would go up to 360,000, a horrendous figure.

16. The 360,000 did not include a large number of under-employed workers.

17. In the second five-year plan the public section was to spend 4,500 million Ringgit of which 1,900 million Ringgit was to come from foreign sources (borrowing).

18. Malaysia would have to depend on foreign capital inflow. Dr Lim remarked that political independence had not freed us from dependence on foreign capital. Still, he said, it was consistent with political independence. He named several developed countries which depended on foreign capital inflows.

19. He then turned to the rubber industry which was undergoing great difficulties because of the increasing usage of synthetics. He concluded that the difficulties of the rubber industry was also the difficulty of the nation in view of the strategic and preeminent role the industry occupied in the Malaysian economy.

20. The United States was making things more difficult through the release of their rubber stockpile. I remember being invited by Mr Bell, the American Ambassador to tea and I raised this matter. I was shocked when the Ambassador said that it was important for the US economy to keep rubber prices low. I told him that rubber prices were more critical to a small country like Malaysia than to a huge diversified economic power like America. But he did not care what happened to Malaysia. Yet at that time we looked up to America as a friend and liberator.

21. Rubber prices went down from 108.00 cents per pound to 68.14 cents. At the time Dr Lim wrote his article it was 50 cent per pound. The kampong people suffered grievously.

22. The other major source of income for Malaysia was tin. Already the production was decreasing.

23. We may be surprised but after tin came iron ore. We produced 7.3 million tons in 1963 but the production was going down. We produce no iron ore for export today.

24. Dr Lim predicted that income from rubber, tin and iron ore would decrease by 1977.

25. But the picture was bright for palm oil. In 1957 we exported 58.5 thousand tons of palm oil. By 1966 we exported 178.0 thousand tons.

26. Imagine how small we were then. Today if I am not mistaken we export more than 12 million tons at RM 3,000 plus per ton = 36,000,000,000 i.e. 36 billion Ringgit per year - well over the total public development estimate of 4,000 million Ringgit for the second five year plan (of course the Ringgit bought more than it does now).

27. Other than these we expected to earn something from timber, canned pineapple and pepper.

28. Dr Lim believed that growth would be from the domestic sector, with public sector contributing much towards it.

29. From Dr Lim's paper, presented at a forum organised by the National Union of Malayan Students at the University of Malaya, it did not seem likely that Malaysia would grow to what it is today. Yet Dr Lim was optimistic. He expected political stability to contribute towards Malaysia's development.

30. I write this in order to remind ourselves as to what we were like before. In 1967 no one thought of a Malaysia like what it is today. We did not think of industrialisation. We saw ourselves as a producer of raw materials.

31. Foreign Direct Investment was an unknown term when Dr Lim Chong Eu invited foreign industrialists in the early 70s to invest in the electronic industry on liberal terms. Prior to that we had insisted that all foreign industries must accept Malaysian Equity Participation (before NEP).

32. Only National or Matsushita came. But later we gave priority to job creation to benefit not those with money to invest but the unemployed workers. That was the best decision the Malaysian Government ever made.

33. Today Malaysia is more prosperous than the other countries which attained independence together with us. There is not a single race, not a single person, whatever may be his or her station in life who can honestly say that he or she has gained nothing from the independent Governments of Malaysia.

34. We are all the beneficiaries of the policies of those early people who lead this country. The systems and policies they initiated were excellent.

If they seem not to work today it is not because they were bad but it is because we do not have their caliber. We have become very selfish and too materialistic. This country has given us much. Is it still the country we love? I wonder!

(*) We also wonder Dr.M, when the country have given so much, how come Indians in the country got so little....???
Cakap boleh lah......

CRONYISM AND THE NEP

Dr. Mahathir Mohamad speaks up on August 6, 2008

1. When the New Economic Policy began to show some results in the early eighties, the Western Press and local opponents of the Government began to talk about cronyism. Whoever succeeded in a developing country like Malaysia, did so because they were the chosen favourites of the Government, particularly the head of the Government.

2. I came in for virulent attacks because some Malays actually did well in business. They were all labelled my cronies whether they were indeed my cronies or not. Anyone who succeeded was immediately defined as my crony.

3. Many close friends, relatives and members of my family who failed in business would not be called cronies.

4. It is not the actual relation or association with the leader that qualifies one to be the crony of the Prime Minister. It is the success of the individual. Failures, no matter how close they may be to the Prime Minister would not be called cronies.

5. This left me in a quandary. As head of the Government I had to ensure the success of the NEP objective of reducing the disparities between the bumiputeras and the non-bumis. This reduction must be achieved at all levels, not excluding the rich and the very rich. It wouldn't do to have parity among the low income and middle income only, while big businesses are all in the hands of the non-Bumiputera millionaires.

6. While most Bumiputeras who were given shares and opportunities to do business abused these opportunities, a few tried seriously and some of them succeeded. Obviously, these would be the people who should get more opportunities. Those who had abused their rights were also given second and third chances but as they continued to mess up their contracts and projects they were dropped out. Giving them more opportunities would simply be a waste. It would not help correct the economic imbalances.

7. As new opportunities were created, those with good track records were given more projects and contracts. When privatisation was introduced these people were among the ones chosen to take over the big privatised entities.

8. Admittedly some of them failed and were dropped. The numbers who succeeded became smaller. As we cannot risk giving to failures, the few successful people seem to be getting all the Government contracts, privatisation projects and other business opportunities.

9. All the while the Government was on the lookout for new Bumiputera individuals who showed good business acumen. They too were given projects, contracts and business opportunities. Again if they were successful they would get more projects and contracts etc. Then they would be categorised as cronies.

10. The number of successful Bumiputera businessmen slowly increased. Angry that the NEP had actually succeeded in throwing up capable bumiputera businessmen and reducing racial imbalances the Western press and local opponents of the NEP began to label all the successful Bumiputera businessmen as cronies of the Prime Minister. It does not matter if the PM had never known these people, but if they succeed then they must be the cronies of the PM.

11. It would seem that the only way to avoid being accused of cronyism is to ensure that all Bumiputeras fail in business. Better still the NEP should be made to fail completely.

12. The continuing disparities between the Bumiputeras and the non-Bumiputeras which these will cause would then produce inter-racial tension and political instability. Then the Western journalists can say that these "natives" really should not be given independence. Look at the mess they are making of their country.

13. It must be very annoying to the know-all Western journalists that they have been proved constantly wrong about Malaysia. They had predicted the collapse of this country due to the Malays seizing the wealth of the Chinese after independence, but this did not happen.

14. When May 13th 1969 occurred they congratulated themselves as what they had predicted seemed to have happened. But the three races in Malaysia worked out their own solution and Malaysia once again stabilised and went on to grow and prosper.

15. Despite dire predictions about the unfairness of the NEP affirmative action and cronyism, Malaysia continued to grow strongly and noticeable improvement was made in reducing the disparities between the races. The target of becoming a developed country by 2020 seemed achievable.

16. When the financial crisis caused by rogue currency traders took place, Malaysia remained calm and peaceful. The Malays did not blame the Chinese as happened in other countries. Apparently the Malays were quite satisfied with their share of the nation's wealth after the NEP. The Chinese did not blame the NEP either.

17. Instead when the Government successfully overcame the crises, the Chinese were very grateful. In the 1999 Elections, the Chinese votes were overwhelming, helping to give the BN party the 2/3 majority, despite Anwar's black eye.

18. When I stepped down wealth distribution through affirmative action in the economic field had contributed towards eradicating the identification of race with economic function but not as much as targeted.

19. But the NEP was more successful in the field of education. When I wrote the Malay Dilemma in 1970, I cited education as one of the obstacles to progress of the Malays. At that time few Malays had university education. There were only a handful of Malay professionals.

20. In my class of 1947 at the Medical College there were only seven Malay students out of a class of 77. Even in the arts faculties the percentage was very small.

21. Under the NEP more schools were built in the rural areas and primary education was free. Secondary education was easily available and a lot of scholarships were given for the universtities in the country and abroad.

22. Residential colleges enabled the students to study under better condition than found in their inadequately lighted village houses. They were given better food in these hostels. Junior science colleges modelled after the English Boarding Schools provide ideal environment for selected students to study and play.

23. The results of all these efforts is very satisfying. Thousands of Malay boys and girls from poor village families gained access to better education and eventually obtained university degrees in various professions and fields of knowledge.

24. Many went on to study for post-graduate degrees and doctorates. They now work as professors in universities, as specialists in various fields of medicine, as scientists, engineers, architects, veterinarians, agriculturists etc. They have not been left behind by the advances in new knowledge such as information technology, telecommunications and space science.

25. They have also gone into management, obtaining MBAs from well known universities such as Harvard and Philadelphia. Armed with these qualifications they have been employed as management executives at all levels. Some actually head multinational companies.

26. In the education field the NEP has been very successful. It has helped to correct the imbalances not only in the professions but also in business. Strangely Malays have become very successful bankers.

27. The educational successes of the NEP have been largely ignored and not even recognised as a part of the poverty eradication and the removal of the identification of race with economic function objectives of the NEP. But in fact they are.

28. So think again whether the NEP simply enrich the cronies of the PM and Government.

29. Think of what would be the situation in Malaysia today without the NEP.

30. If there is still doubt then do a survey of all the contracts and scholarships given by the private sector and work out how much they have contributed toward eliminating disparities between races, and who would be the poor in this country.

Now, This is Dr.M........... we should have known earlier.

Hindraf 18 Point Demands

Ms.G Kanchana refers to the statement made by K.P.Samy (Makkal Osai 15/07/08 Pg. 2 )
“Who is the true warrior” ? (Poorata Waathi )

Mr. K.P. Samy in order to defend Datuk Subramaniam has succeeded in exposing to the entire nation the secret collusion of some who tried to compromise the 18 point demands of Hindraf.
Which is the truth Mr. K.P.Samy :-
The Hindraf 18 point demands which were carefully drafted without ‘fear or favour’ to portray, reflect and incorporate the true marginalisation and discrimination of the Indians in the past 50 years, which was presented openly to the Prime Minister at Putrajaya on 12/08/07, attended and witnessed by about 5000 people.

OR

The so called memo which was, altered, adjusted and modified thus compromising the true demands and grievances of the Indians that was apparently handed over to the Prime Minister ‘behind closed doors presumably’ at some point of time by Datuk Subramaniam.

Who gave these perpetrators the right to covertly manipulate the one and only Hindraf 18 point demands which since November 25th 2007 Rally, has been proven to be wholeheartedly accepted by Indians. Who is Raidu to act as coordinator when he clearly has no status to do so. Who are the others who called themselves ‘Hindraf ’ who had conspired and schemed in this intrusion of the 18 point demands. Who are the so called established and reputable legal firm that assisted in this invasion. The Hindraf 18 point demands are not to be manipulated, it speaks the truth although unacceptable by some who have been compliant all the while. The Federal Constitution of Malaysia that enshrines the rights of the people of this nation was battered and distorted to emphasise the special powers of a certain group but at the same time infringing and contravening the rights of many others. We will not allow a similar manipulation and violation to the Hindraf 18 Point Demands that we “Makkal Sakthi” are holding close to our hearts and working very hard to achieve.

Why an attempt to change the 18 point demands?
The Kg Medan incident did happen, just like many unanswered deaths in police custody and likewise issues. Why turn a blind eye on these issues? We have a right to know what actually took place. Any unlawful death has to be answerable. An inquiry will reveal the true nature of the incidence, unless of course the truth is unacceptable by some. It took us nearly 30 years to ask the questions on ‘Maika Holdings Funds” and yet no answers. We cannot wait another 50 years to demand an inquiry into Kg Medan issue, it’s now or never. If Datuk Subramaniam is indeed exceptional within the MIC he must show his support to the Indian community first by answering the much frequent and repeated question of what happened to the ‘Maika Holdings Funds’. Otherwise we have no choice but to keep believing MIC is no different from the Government when it comes to accountability and transparency, or even worse.

Asking for compensation instead for the victims, is shameful and degrading. Can any amount of money close the chapter (unanswered) on the Kg Medan incident or bring back the lost lives. Will it make any better the suffering of those injured and traumatised by the terrible incident. This compensation request seems to imply that “the Indians if thrown a few pennies will shut up”. It’s no longer the case, not after November 25th 2007 awakening.

Why the fear in questioning the Malay previliges. The Federal Constitution declares equality amongst it citizens. Didn’t we the Indians shed our blood for the independence of this country? Didn’t we work equally hard and contribute to the prosperity and development of this great nation? Are we lesser off people than others?. Why then are we still being told not to question the Malay previliges?. The fear and inhibitions of the Indians got washed off with ‘chemical laced water’ on November 25th2007. Yet again the Indians are being coerced not to question the Malay previliges. Exactly what the MIC ‘mandores’ have been doing the last 50 years.

On another point, why Mr. K.P.Samy do you wish to portray Datuk Subramaniam as a hero behind the Hindraf struggle for the Indians when such recognition deservingly belongs to those incarcerated for upholding justice and the rights of the Indians and the people “Makkal Sakthi” who are the true heroes alongside the remarkable bravery of many uprising heroines.

If passing a memo ‘behind the scene’ to the PM and receiving promises from the PM “just before elections” indicates warriorship ‘Poorata Waathi’ then you are truly testing the intelligence of the Indians. I quote Uthaya’s words here “You can fool some Indians some of the time but you can’t fool all the Indians all of the time”. The support and efforts presumably by Datuk Subramaniam has to be seen to be believed, he should come forth and declare support for Hindraf and the 18 point demands. Until then there are many who will presume that he, like many others in MIC has his own interest to protect first.

How can we ever believe or trust Datuk Sri Samy Velu to be in dialogues with the government for the release of the Hindraf 5 leaders, when early upon the arrest he declared the PM to have done the right thing. What a contradiction ! Where is the truth here Mr. Samy?

History shows there is only one person in ISA detention who had fought for Human Rights and the Indians vehemently without ‘fear or favour’ for many years now and continues to do so from within his cell. We believe the person who did not sign the so called secret document was P.Uthayakumar. He is a man of principles unwilling to compromise in the name of Indians. ‘Ondre solvar, ondre saivar’ ( his words are his actions) Even today he will not beg or negotiate for his release. “Who is the true warrior (Poorata Waathi)” here?

Hindraf ‘Makkal Sakthi’ will follow this approach and through its chairman P.Waytha Moorthy, the Coordinators and Supporters the struggle will carry on.

Mr. K.P. Samy, you “or those behind you” have done a wonderful deed in bailing and supporting those detained after the rally. For this we truly appreciate your contribution towards the Indian struggle.

What ever said and done there is only one Hindarf “Makkal Sakthi” and one 18 Point Demands… not what took place “ BEHIND THE SCENES”.

Vaalga Hindraf ‘Maakal Sakthi’.

The Fatal Remedy

Granted, the price of crude oil as on Wednesday (June 4) was US$125 (RM404) per barrel and has been increasing ever since. A saving of RM13.7 billions were expected when the announcement of the fuel subsidy cuts were made on that historical day. Petrol prices were raised by 41% to RM2.70 from RM1.92 effective June 5, while the price of diesel was increased by RM1 to RM2.58, a jump of 63%.

As if that wasn’t excruciating enough, the government simultaneously announced that effective July 1, electricity rates will be raised by 18% for households and 26% for industrial and commercial users. A double whammy!

Inflation floodgate opens wide
The impact? Doubtless, a wide-ranging ramifications for both consumers and businesses. The various daily media carry the full impact of this unfolding catastrophe. The cost of living and cost of doing business, already escalating, will soar up even higher! After foolhardily opening widely the floodgate of inflation, the BN government is now desperately mitigating its full knock-on impact through various rebate measures. Weird.

One could vividly recall that Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad was repeatedly saying that there will be no fuel hike right up to late Wednesday morning. It will not be raised until August, he reassured. Well, one could equally recall the promise by the deputy premier during the launching of the BN manifesto on February 2008 that there shall be no fuel hike in 2008. After a four- hour cabinet meeting on that historical Wednesday the premier frantically made the bizarre announcement, as if an Armageddon is to befall the nation, if we failed to do so.

The question one wishes to ask the premier would definitely be, why took on such drastic action? Irresponsible, if I were to be polite and or plainly reckless, if I were to be in my parliamentary or default mode. While the knee-jerk response of the rakyat was to immediately make a beeline for the petrol stations up to 1 am on Thursday morning, rest assured that the rakyat is not taking this lying down, this time round.

No matter how the government attempts to rationalize its action, the public will not stomach it. Especially not after the last general election where the BN not only suffered a bloody-nose but was literally ‘massacred’. They now come face-to-face with a more well-informed citizenry or a more ‘enlightened’ voters. Thanks to the ‘New Media’ that has empowered the rakyat to make informed decisions. That’s why they simply couldn’t hoodwink them anymore, not anymore.

The attempts at comparing our petrol prices with non-oil producing neighbours like Thailand and Singapore were both ludicrous and pathetic. Let’s not compare with the affluent OPEC states. To cite but a few examples Nigeria is charging her citizens at RM0.32 per liter and Iran at RM0.35 per liter. Indonesia that has become an oil-importing nation is charging RM1.85 per liter. President Chevez could maintain charging the Venezuelans RM0.16 per liter and the economy still remains robust.

But before we go on the debate, let’s get a few things straight.

Macroeconomics 101 - Subsidy or no subsidy
Firstly, subsidy or no subsidy is a matter of choice for the government of the day, as is also on taxation and all its various types; the direct or indirect tax. To increase or reduce it is also a matter for the government of the day to decide. These are the stabilization policies with which any government is capable of ‘moderating’ so as to achieve certain targets in the macroeconomics, namely growth, inflation and employment. This simply put, is the Fiscal Policy, while the government could also moderate the Monetary Policy that involves the money supply and changes in the interest rate by the BNM.

Getting into the debate proper, any subsidy or a payment by a government agency to producer of goods, intended to make prices lower is beneficial for the rakyat. The subsidy will also have the effect of raising the income of the rakyat. The fuel subsidy, being an important component of all products of food, transport and services, is undoubtedly important, as it not only makes the fuel prices lower but more importantly it avoids the inflationary pressure once the price of fuel is raised, when the subsidy is reduced or withdrawn.

Let’s hear the government side of the argument. The subsidy is no longer tenable because of the spiraling global crude oil prices. The government would have had to spend RM33 billion for the fuel subsidy this year, if they have not cut its subsidy by RM13.5 billion. The fuel subsidy, said the second Finance Minister is equal to our development budget annually. We could ill afford this. We could do a lot more with that money. Admittedly logical and sound but do we end there?

The real beneficiaries
Well, in May 2006, the government reduced its subsidy by RM4 billion promising to upgrade the public system of transportation. Is our public transport better off or worse off now? So were the less-off segments of our society or the marginalized rakyat aided by the cut in the subsidy after all, as they presumably will be utilizing the public transport most? So where did the RM 4 billion go to? So, who were the real beneficiaries? By extension, who will be the beneficiaries of the current subsidy cut of RM13.7 billions? Which lucky (read crony) companies will be awarded new projects and who benefited most from insider information and racking in millions on the TNB shares that shot up after the announcement on its tariff increase?

By the way, we are still a net exporter of oil. The Petronas Group delivered another record performance for the financial year ended 31March 2007, amidst a more complex and increasingly challenging global oil and gas industry environment. A total revenue of RM184.1 billion were recorded with a Profit Before Tax of RM76.3 billion. Petronas has a total asset of RM294.6 billion.

Talks of Petronas’ oil drying up come 2014 are contrary to its report. Even the Minister is selectively ignorant. The Group’s continuous effort to replenish the nation’s hydrocarbon resources have resulted in a fairly constant reserve life for Malaysia – an average of 20 years for crude oil and condensates and 34 years for natural gas reserves respectively, at current rate of production. One of the Group’s significant achievements in the Exploration and Production sector during the year was its success in replacing more hydrocarbons than what was produced in Malaysia, with a respectable Reserves Replacement Ratio (RRR) of 1.8 times, which is among the highest in the industry (based on 2006 report).

Let’s do a back-of-the-envelope arithmetic together. Incidentally an audited account of Petronas has never been presented in Parliament. We are often told that we produce 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, while consuming approximately 400,000 barrels. We have still a net of 250,000 barrels to be exported per day. We were also told that for every US$1 increase in crude oil price, we are in to make an extra RM200 million per year approximately. Hence, from the last fuel hike back in May 2006 when the crude price of oil was US$65 per barrel, with US$125 per barrel as on last Wednesday, the increase is US$60.

Assuming, not much changes in every other costs, we should have made a whooping RM12 billion from the price hike in global crude oil from May 2006. With the willingness of the ‘repentant’ PM and his ‘remorseful’ Cabinet to be on ‘austerity drive’, ie 10% cut in various allowances after their last bad outing in the 12th GE as an ‘atonement’ for all their excesses and ‘sins of omission and commissions’, we are in to save a cool RM2 billion. Wish they knew about ‘austerity’ a lot earlier. Hundreds of billions could have been saved and invested in our Sovereign Funds for our grandchildren! Mind you, Malaysia has one of the highest resources per capita in the world. But where are we now?

Our back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that this could take care of the RM13.7 billion in the extra subsidy required as to take for the increase in the global crude oil price. But this surely wasn’t the way the government would like to go. She has in fact taken a ‘bold’ step in an attempt at dismantling the entire fuel subsidy approach which she now neither believes to be any longer tenable nor desirable.

The PM’s Waterloo
While this writer may be willing to concede that subsidies especially coupled with the multi-layered price-control and the BN’s APs cum monopoly policies, have created huge distortions in the economy, misallocation of resources, leakages, huge bailouts and protection of uncompetitive industries, doing it the ‘BN Way’ may be more aptly described as the ‘medicine killing the patient’ – The Fatal Remedy!

The writer can’t help sharing that he has a hunch that the premier is again deliberately ill-advised as to ‘finish-him-off’ altogether, albeit politically. So the BN’s remedy may turn out to be equally fatal for him – his Waterloo of sort.

Given a citizenry that has long been pampered by the BN misguided populist policies on price control and subsidies, the need for a more holistic and integrated policy change is all the more pressing. With it, would be the need to revisit the concept of prioritization in development, of sustainable growth, of attaining global competitiveness, of avoiding crony practices, of avoiding wastage and excesses and remaining prudent both in fiscal and monetary policy and exercising good governance. The long-outstanding dire low wages scheme needs to be revisited. Above all, we would like to remain caring and yet provide opportunities for all to be enterprising and competing fairly. The Pakatan Rakyat federal government will surely like to do it “Our Way”.

A thorough deliberations and discourse is surely in order. Not here though. As for now, the writer’s critique on the fuel hike hinges on the fact that the policy changes are indeed precipitating the disastrous cascade of fatal injury to all. To the lower-income groups, talk of changing lifestyle is simply nonsensical.Recalling a parliamentary debate, a BN minister explained that food accounts for the 33% of the CPI, while fuel, transport and communications contributed 15.9% of the CPI weights. With a 41% petrol hike and up to 26% in electricity tariff, we are about to witness an inflationary pressure that may very well be unprecedented. Some are already predicting it to be as high as 7%.

With the government admitting that private consumption accounted for more than 50% of the GDP and growth is essentially domestically driven, we are now set to witness a slowing down or a meltdown of the economy. With lower disposable income and a rising debt burden, weaker private consumption growth, the impact on the overall macro-economy will be even more gruesome.

It doesn’t really matter to the rakyat whatever the growth number or CPI may eventually be. However, it certainly will hurt them most when food could no longer be on the table, as the exorbitant prices will be very prohibitive while the holes in the pockets getting deeper. The knock-on social impact, on the back of an already overburdened nation plagued with crimes, are both immensely scary and onerous.

In this sense, the policy prescription has been regrettably irresponsible and ostensibly reckless.