HRP wants Anwar’s commitment

K Pragalath | April 21, 2012 
 
The opposition leader must pledge to end the problem of stateless Malaysian Indians, says HRP information chief S Jayathas. 

 
PETALING JAYA: Human Rights Party information chief S Jayathas wants Opposition Leader leader Anwar Ibrahim to be committed in ending the problem of stateless Malaysian Indians.

“Being the Pakatan Rakyat leader and ‘prime minister in waiting’, what more the de facto leader of PKR, Anwar should give 450,000 Indian poor who are denied birth certificates, identification cards and citizenship a firm commitment that he would also end statelessness

“Anwar had committed to abolish the PTPTN study loans and to form a royal commission of inquiry on the Sabah IC fiasco to foreigners,” he said in a press statement.

His statement comes following a demonstration on Thursday morning by a group of more than 80 Malaysian Indians who highlighted their failure in obtaining identity cards

The demonstration at Parliament was led by PKR vice-president N Surendran.

Jayathas also suggested that Anwar commits himself to the issue by giving a confirmation at a rally in Klang on Sunday as part of the changes that Pakatan would deliver in the first 100 days if the coalition formed the next federal government.

HRP had invited Anwar, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang earlier this month for the rally.

Jayathas said a commitment from Anwar would be politically rewarding for Pakatan and the Indian community.

“This would truly reflect Pakatan being multi- racial in practice and their intended delivery for the people especially the Indian poor when they get to Putrajaya,” he added.

Anwar can’t attend rally
In a related development, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said Anwar would not be able to attend the rally in Klang.

“Anwar was not consulted on the date and venue of the event and he has prior engagements on April 22 .Our doors have always been open to the public and all those committed to fight for justice and we are ever willing to accept representations from any party for the public good,” he said.

Saifuddin said PKR supported the struggle and efforts of all political parties, NGOs and activists to bring justice to all communities and sections of the Malaysian society.

“To this extent, we appreciate the efforts of HRP and other NGOs and activists in taking up economic and social issues relating to the Indian community.

“The Indian community has been seriously neglected by the Barisan Nasional government and there are many problems peculiar to the community which must be addressed systematically and comprehensively.

“We, in PKR and Pakatan, believe in the redress of grievances and upliftment of social and economic situation of every single community in this country. No one must be left behind. This is consistent with our stand as detailed in our Buku Jingga and Common Policy Framework,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jayathas said the rally would proceed as planned.

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