Malaysian Indians protest against racial slur

Sungai Siput (Malaysia): The Indian community in Malaysia protested against the prominent legislator for the Malay-majority Barisan Nasional coalition or the National Front, Hamidah Osman, for saying that Indians are worse than snakes in front of a State Assembly Speaker.

A group of about 50 people from the Indian community staged a 75-minute peaceful demonstration in front of the Sungai Siput police station to call for her resignation.

The demonstration, which began at 5.45 p.m. on Monday, saw the group holding up placards and asking passing motorists to sound their horns as a show of support.

The group dispersed at 7p.m., but not before five participants lodged a joint police report against her.

The Malaysian Government fearing a backlash from the Indian community to a racist insult from a prominent legislator has forced Hamidah Osman to tender an immediate apology to the community.

Osman, the Malaya legislator had said, "There's a well-known Malay saying that goes 'If you see a snake and an Indian, kill the Indian first.' Do you agree or disagree with it?"

The Malaysian government took redressed before the Indian government could lodge a complaint. The government was forced to retract after strong protest from Malay Indians.

Malaysia Sun
02/07/08