Protests at Malaysian PM's open house

ISA detainees' supporters demand their release at ministers' function

KUALA LUMPUR: Politics crept into the festive Hari Raya open house of Umno ministers yesterday when protesters made a noisy entrance to demand the release of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees.
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi was surrounded by tight security as he greeted - with a smile and listening ear - the several hundred Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) protesters and a few dozen supporters of detained blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin who turned up.

'We have been trying to see him all this while, so we took the opportunity today. We came with an open heart,' said Hindraf national ideological coordinator W. Sambulingam.

Five Hindraf leaders have been detained under the ISA for leading thousands of Indians onto the streets last November to demand more rights for the community.

The noisy protest was not the only political presence to make itself felt at the traditional annual Hari Raya party, which sees thousands of Malaysians turning up to meet their leaders.

With a week left to Datuk Seri Abdullah's pledge to announce his retirement plans, it was a hot topic of discussion at the open house.

Gerakan, a Chinese party, took the opportunity yesterday to call for the matter to be discussed with the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, instead of just among the Umno leaders.

Mr Abdullah indicated last week that he would announce by Oct 9 whether he intended to contest the Umno presidency. Many believe he is unlikely to, and will therefore also retire as Prime Minister.

Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon yesterday said the leadership of Umno was also that of the country. 'I believe when things are clearer, the BN supreme council will meet and be briefed about the transition,' he said.

In response, Mr Abdullah said he would call a BN meeting 'as soon as possible after Hari Raya'.

'We have nothing to hide. We will have a session, people will speak and we will listen to what they say,' he told reporters.

Asked if he was sad that this could be his last Hari Raya as Premier, he smiled and replied: 'I am in a good mood. I am celebrating Hari Raya. Do I look different?'

Yesterday, a steady stream of Malaysians queued for hours outside the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur to shake the hands of Cabinet ministers and wish them Selamat Hari Raya.

The Hindraf supporters, who turned up dressed in bright orange T-shirts with anti-ISA button badges, were initially stopped by the police, but staged a noisy protest until they were allowed to join the queue.

Marching single file past the Cabinet line-up, they shook the hands of the ministers, some adding to their Hari Raya greeting a demand for the release of all ISA detainees.

There are more than 60 detainees, including the five Hindraf leaders and those arrested for suspected Islamic militancy.

'The Malaysian Indians want to tell the Prime Minister to release all ISA detainees,' said Mrs K. Shanti, the wife of Hindraf leader P. Waythamoorthy, who has fled to London.

She said Mr Abdullah told her that he would look into the issue at another time.

The protest was slammed by National Unity, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Shafie Apdal, who said it was not the right occasion to protest.

Carolyn Hong
The Straits Times
Singapore
02/10/09