BTN foiling nation-building, says Kit Siang

SHAH ALAM: DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has urged the government to shut down the controversial Biro Tata Negara (BTN) under the Prime Minister’s Department, saying its “brainwashing propaganda courses’ is a major obstacle in nation-building.

The call comes as the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government imposed a ban on students at its universities and state employees from attending BTN courses, the first time any government has done so.

Opposition members have long accused the BTN of conducting courses to instill youths and civil servants with hatred against the opposition under the guise of promoting nationalism.

Although several parties who attended the courses have attested to this in the past, the BTN courses have continued to be a corner stone of the Barisan Nasional machinery to “educate’ people” on the country’s political landscape.

The debate on the government-run loyalty programme has forced the Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to wade in and deny that the courses are aimed to shore up support for Barisan.

The opposition remain unconvinced, stressing that the courses offered teach only outright loyalty to the the ruling party particularly Umno.

“The BTN as it is the biggest obstacle to 1 Malaysia nation-building,” Lim said. “The BTN is the litmus test whether Najib’s 1 Malaysia slogan is just empty rhetoric or whether he is really prepared to ‘walk the talk’ of creating a united, harmonious and progressive Malaysia,” he added.

Lim said the BTN courses have been shrouded in secrecy.

“Participants are not allowed their mobile phones and other electronic media gadgets, lectures and course notes are also not allowed to be taken away after the indoctrination,” he added.

Lim deplored Muhyiddin’s contention that BTN courses were not racist and was is line with the 1 Malaysia concept.

“It is most shocking that… Muhyiddin can defend such communal poison in BTN courses,” he said.

Kit Siang said Najib should be bold enough to reveal the truth behind BTN courses.

“Is the Cabinet prepared to order a full public inquiry so that Malaysians can know the truth about the BTN courses … how it deviated from its original purpose to foster nationalism to become a great obstacle to national unity by pumping communal poison and promoting racial ill-will and hatred?” Kit Siang asked.

FMT
29/11/09

Has Anwar really lost his bearing?

I don’t know whether it is naivety or sheer desperation for political survival that the opposition leader attended the occasion organized by the artifical HINDRAF leaders.

As it stands, with the showdown with Jeffrey & Zaid, Anwar seems to be embarking in a path in recruiting or shall I say endorsing suspicious personalities.

Similar to Najib who jumped the gun to endorse Makkal Sakthi Party Malaysia, Anwar seems to be acting in sequence to endorse another offshoot of the HINDRAF movement who lacks credence.

Foot for thought, the architect who financed and brought in Makkal Sakthi Party into BN was this philanthropist OMS Thiagarajan who is closely associated with Datuk S. Subramaniam and owns about 40% of the tamil daily Makkal Oosai.

The same person now financed the occasion that Vasantha Kumar organized and was present during the occasion that was gracefully attended by Anwar.

Vasantha Kumar is also known within the Klang community to have close relationship with one K.P.Samy, the undying ally of Datuk S. Subramaniam and practically attends all the MIC functions since his release from ISA.

Why Anwar would even engage such skeptical & suspicious character bemuses me unless it politics as usual.

It is so obvious; all these purported HINDRAF leaders claim that they have the support of the grassroot but only have one thing in unison that is in their own political agenda and those of the mandores both in Pakatan and Barisan National.

Anwar doesn’t seem to realize that he in turn now has been used as a pawn by this faction of HINDRAF headed by the alleged Special Branch Vasantha Kumar to launch his political career or is he so gullible to embrace someone with such dodgy credential?

At least Thanenthiran of Makkal Sakthi Party had the dignity to voice his political ambition and chose his part on what fitted him best by courting the BN faction. However this character Vasantha Kumar in his platform launches character assassination against Uthayakumar and Waythamoorthy who are synonymous with HINDRAF from day one.

Does this lend any credibility to a purported leader? Would you not rather be talking about your plans on how to uplift the society on such an occasion?

Both Uthayakumar and Waythamoorthy have proven credibility. Uthayakumar, for the last eighteen years have been battling with the police on human rights violations when everyone stood silent and watched. Waythamoorthy in highligting the plight of the marginalized Malaysian Indian and abolishment of ISA throughout the world resulted in recognization of the HINDRAF’s struggle and release of the ISA detainees.

Today, one faction is courted by BN and the other faction is courted by Anwar. What is baffling is why neither party could ever court the originators of HINDRAF?

In my view, I think both these political parties rather have a politically motivated personality under its reign rather than one with a steadfast goal who would fight for justice and equality based on the needs of the society such as the original HINDRAF have been doing for the Malaysian Indians even if some may call it racist.

Sitting in a neutral position, all I can presume is Anwar has definitely lost his bearing besides his oratory skills in identifying and pursuing what is just and equal for his own political goals.

Anwar, I hope you know what you are doing, as this guy could end up being another political trap for you as was the Saiful episode.

Mydin Baharuddin
29/11/09

Najib's Makkal Sakti party is in revolt

The newly formed Makkal Sakti Party which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is hoping will help him win over the Tamil working class, is heading for a major split over what some senior party leaders say is “the Samy Vellu-style, dictatorial” tendencies of president R. S. Thanenthiran.

The leaders, who requested to remain anonymous, told The Malaysian Insider, accused Thanenthiran, who has just returned from a holiday in Bali, of high-handedness and failing to share decision making with other senior leaders.

The senior leaders have requested an emergency general meeting of the 27-member Central Committee when they hope to debate the issue and resolve differences.

While one faction of the CC says they want to table a vote of no-confidence against the president and remove him, another faction said their intention is to thrash out all differences and shortcomings with Thanenthiran to end the squabbles.

“We want to close ranks and save the party,” a senior leader said.

“This party was hard to get (registered) and there is so much work to do to help the poor Tamil people. We don’t want to waste this golden opportunity by squabbling among ourselves.”

Party secretary-general Kannan Ramasamy told The Malaysian Insider that CC members have requested him to call a emergency meeting to discuss various “outstanding issues” but he declined to go into the details.

He said any nine members of the CC can write to him requesting an emergency meeting.

“I have called for a meeting next week and my role is more like a mediator aiming to resolve the outstanding issues,” he said.

The meeting is expected to be held on December 2 at the party headquarters in Shah Alam, sources said.

Thanenthiran could not be reached for comments but a CC member allied with him said the president is aware of the grouses and lobbying with CC members to “head-off” the December 2 emergency meeting.

When contacted many CC members appeared divided over the issue.

While some criticised Thanenthiran others were more anxious to contain the split and close ranks.

Among the grouses critics have levelled at Thanenthiran was that he conducted the October 10 launch by Najib and the inaugural congress that followed in an autocratic manner.

He refused to share the limelight with other senior leaders, a CC member said.

Thanenthiran allegedly gave preference to himself, his wife and a brother while sidelining senior party leaders, said another CC member.

“He also did not account for the funds used to organise the function,” said a CC member adding there was “big over spending”.

But the main grouse seems to be that Thanenthiran dominated the Oct 10 launch and the general assembly that followed “the way Samy Vellu dominates the MIC."

“We are against this kind of arrogant leadership…we are not stupid people to line up and nod our heads to Thanenthiran. That's why we reject the MIC,” said a CC member.

Many leaders among the Indian community had expressed shock that Najib had even consented to launch the party because they saw its leaders as political novices.

They also said Thanenthiran did not have the political maturity or leadership acumen to lead the party and wondered aloud how far the party would go before heading south.

The founders of Makkal Sakthi Party, including Thanenthiran, were either former mid-level leaders in the Hindraf movement or came into the limelight after the founders of Hindraf were detained under the ISA leaving a big leadership vacuum in the movement.

The former Perak Hindraf co-ordinator who is now deputy president of Makkal Sakthi party, A. Waythamoorthy, said party leaders were ready to discuss and resolve all issues.

“There is so much to do and so little time to achieve success that we cannot waste the time squabbling among ourselves,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

“We have our work cut out for us, we have the Prime Minister helping us and we need to close ranks to achieve our aims to help our community,” Waythamoorthy said.
He declined to go into the unhappiness some CC members are expressing against the party president.

“It is best we resolve matters among ourselves and get on with our main task,” said Waythamoorthy.

Malaysian insider
29/11/09

Anwar, who are Hindraf's real heroes?

Gandhi: I can only say that P Uthayakumar and some hardcore believers in Hindraf did a sensible and meaningful commemoration of the historical event two years ago.

Where are Thanenthiran, Vasanthakumar and Ganabatirau? Is holding a dinner to commemorate the solemn event a fitting move? Get down in the trenches like Uthayakumar to go all the way to submit the memorandum and keep the fire alive. Knock on the doors of the corridors of power to act on the plight of Indians.

Ranjit Singh: Anwar Ibrahim should take the trouble to do some background checks on this character (Vasanthakumar) before endorsing him. Anwar doesn't seem to learn from his lessons as he keeps recruiting hapless and suspicious candidates who eventually backstab him.

Imhindraf: Hindraf members, please set aside your differences for the benefit of Indians. Hindraf came about to protect the Indians worst-hit by Umno discrimination.

DC: Here we go, another one attempting to gain political mileage for his own benefit. Why didn't he raise the Kampung Buah Pala issue to Anwar? We are not going to see change until and unless these so-called Indian champions openly, and with indignation, raise our issues.

Lvbala: That should be the way, Anwar. "Our political landscape has changed. Indian, Hindu and Tamil problems must be seen and projected as a Malaysian problem."

We should stand as one. United regardless of race, ethnicity and religion. United we must stand and free this holy land from corruption. Make Malaysia proud. Be a proud Malaysian.

Murali: First Thanenthiran sold his soul to Umno and now Vasanthakumar and Ganabatirau have sold theirs to Pakatan for political mileage. These are the selfish people I have seen after Samy Vellu. We will see whether they will highlight and solve the Indian issues.

Let It Be: Hey guys, if Vasanthakumar is going to be a frog there's nothing all of us can do here. Whether he's a true Indian or a frog, only time will tell. The Indians are not blind and you can cheat them only once.

To be frank, the defining moment for Malaysia was when Anwar was sent to prison because the powers-that-e believe they can continue to mislead us. It made Anwar a better person, when otherwise he would be sucked into Umno's politics of deceit and corruption.

Hindraf did the right thing to come to Pakatan Rakyat and let all Indians rally together for a long and meaningful road ahead. Hope, trust, perseverance, loyalty and lastly sacrifice is needed for this journey.


Reaching out to all, Hindraf's theme for third year

Kris Khaira: Timber companies in Borneo steal from the vulnerable through illegal logging because of profit. For the same reason, oil palm plantations pay their workers of all races, including Indians, obscenely low wages. The common enemy here is capitalism, a system that prioritises profit over people.

Gibran: Hindraf is not racist; it started by taking up the plight of the suppressed Indians. If they are successful, the ramifications will be great because this allows other marginalised communities like the disabled, single mothers and the like to bring up their issues.

Hindraf's success is pertinent - we could best equate it with the civil rights movement in US in the 60s, once the African-Americans obtained equal rights other marginalised groups started fighting for their rights too. Let us support this movement.

Paradox: Dear Penan brothers, be prepared! Hindraf will join forces with you to help your struggles. Now, this is what we call the real 'Bangsa Malaysia'. Kudos to Hindraf!

Pau Line Yaacob: Hindraf is on the right path. Many misunderstand them as being a race-based organisation but there is no harm in raising the issues of your community.

Pairin raises KadazanDusun issues as well. Would you call him racist and not seeing larger Malaysian issues? Similarly Hindraf speaks for the marginalised Indians. In fact they are going a step further to incorporate the natives from Borneo. Well done.

Mk
29/11/09

Hindraf is just not about the Indian dilemma

On 25th November 2007 will go down as the greatest demonstration of the expression of a state of hopelessness of the Malaysian Indians living in independent Malaysia. It was a day of showing outwardly years of displacement and marginalization by selective policies, their actual state of mind.. It was a culmination of a long journey of neglect that has made many Indians more disadvantaged than others .

The irony is the bulk of Tamils who came to Malaysia under the indentured labour system of the British were from the lowest caste stratification of the Indian society. Post independent India evolved an affirmative action program that has moved this lot up mainstream society, by educational support and government programs. Those who came to Malaysia lost out on this post Independent Indian program but on the contrary faced further discrimination and hardship by the UMNO government . With India’s emerging economic growth and the political conviction to create an equitable society, India has become a land of opportunity thus proving the decision of the forefathers decision to get on that ship to Penang wrong.

The tear gas canisters that were indiscriminately fired on that 25th Nov. 2007 was a classical demonstration of a reminder by the government of the day that it has no human compulsion or moral responsibility to those who were trusted upon them by the British colonial masters. Thus the initiative by Hindaf Chairperson Waythamoorthy to submit a memorandum to the British government on that day was a symbolism, to show the world that there is an historical distortion of responsibilities between pre independent Malaya and post independent Malaysia governments.

The issue today we are still struggling to realize is not peculiar to Indian causes alone, just because Hindraf has presented an Indian case. If the government both BN/PR does not realize its failure to create an equitable society based on pure economic parameters it will eventually lead to multi faceted social consequences which will be more difficult and costly in terms of remedy in years to come.

Hindraf is just a forerunner of similar marginal community support groups and they need to succeed because the ramifications will be great as Hindraf’s success will pave the way for other minorities groups who are in a similar plight to seek representation and attention for their cause. Hindraf is the catalyst for the expression of those who need attention, who need support, who need affirmative programs. Such groups need not be limited to race based or religious based, it could be the disabled, the single mothers, the homeless, the urban squatters and so forth. Hindaf actions could be well equated with that of the civil rights movement in the 60’s. Once the civil rights bill was endorsed by congress other marginalize communities were also able to raise their plights and problems too.

It is therefore very pertinent that all level minded, civic conscious true Malaysian look at Hindraf as an expression of the disadvantaged then to look at it from a racial prism. It will be for the nations good if movements like Hindraf succeed in the democratic space to bring about changes in the socio-economic landscape of this nation of ours .It will set the pace for others to follow through and will enable the evolution of an empathetic, and caring Malaysian generation.

We should also look at the hindraf rallies as a real cry for freedom. Their success will endorse greater democracy in the country and will turn the page of old politics of misrepresentation and distortion. We will close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, ethnic group against ethnic group, religion against religion.

HRP
29/11/09

Hindraf members commemorate Nov 25 rally at KLCC

(Photo above even went it was raining we didn’t move from where we sat) Valga HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi

NE

26/11/09

Lawyer: Najib 'linked' to Bala's disappearance

Any reasonable person would draw the conclusion that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is somehow linked to the disappearance of P Balasubramaniam, according to the private investigator's lawyer.

"The facts seem to point to the possibility that they wanted him out of the way and delegated this job to others close to them to execute," said Americk Singh Sidhu (left) in an interview with Malaysiakini.

"As matters stand, I am concerned about the involvement of Nazim (Razak), Najib's younger brother. The question is why would he have an interest in Bala's disappearance if it were not to protect his brother?" asked Americk.

Balasubramaniam recently emerged from hiding to reveal that he had met Nazim, an architect, the night before he made a dramatic reversal and recanted his first statutory declaration in which he alleged that Najib had close ties with murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Balasubramaniam also claimed that he was offered RM5 million by one Deepak, a businessman close to Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, to retract his first statutory declaration.

Najib had repeatedly denied speculations that he was behind Balasubramaniam's retraction.

In the interview, Americk recounted how he was introduced to Balasubramaniam, on his reaction to the retraction of Balasubramaniam's first statutory declaration and his subsequent meeting with the former police officer after he emerged from hiding a year later.

The lawyer also revealed that the video recording of his interview with Balasubramaniam three months ago was secretly taken as an "insurance in the event he was apprehended by the parties involved in his departure from this country over a year ago".

"He did not know he was being filmed at that time but we did inform him of this later and he understood why we did it," said Americk.

According to him, while Balasubramaniam may have committed an offence under the Statutory Declarations Act 1960 for giving conflicting statutory declarations, he could nevertheless defend himself against the charge as it "would appear he was coerced, intimidated and/or forced to sign the second statutory declaration under duress".

But those who allegedly instigated the swearing of the false second statutory declaration - Deepak, one ASP Suresh and lawyer M Arunampalam - are also liable to criminal charges for abetment and conspiracy, added Americk.

"In so far as Nazim is concerned, he was involved in criminal intimidation of Bala besides a possibility of being roped into the abetment/conspiracy charges arising from the creation of the second false statutory declaration."

The following is the first of a two-part interview:

Malaysiakini: When did you first meet Bala?

Americk: I first met Bala sometime in April or May 2008. I was having some early evening drinks with several lawyer friends of mine at 'Fogles', which is a delicatessen/bar at Plaza Damas. We were later joined by ASP Suresh and Bala.

One of the lawyers I was with, M Puravalen, introduced me to them. I had no idea who they were before that. I had not been following the Altantuya case very closely so I had not realised that Abdul Razak Baginda had a private investigator assisting him and this was Bala.

I then started enquiring about this whole saga out of curiosity.

Puravalen had been involved in the Altantuya case as he was the first counsel Abdul Razak Baginda had engaged before he was discharged and a new counsel engaged, and so he enlightened me as regards the more salient facts.

I am not sure how ASP Suresh featured in all this but he appeared to be a good friend of Bala's and appeared to have his interests at heart.

Eventually some of the other lawyers left and the restaurant started closing so we decided to move on to 'The Backyard' pub in Sri Hartamas, which is only a short distance away from Plaza Damas. There were four of us ... Bala, myself, ASP Suresh and Valen.

We were drinking and still discussing the whole Altantuya murder case as I found it fascinating. Sometime later (Subang MP and lawyer) Sivarasa Rasiah walked in. I know Siva as he is also a friend, but we are not very close. We asked him to join us. He also listened to what Bala had to say and after that suggested Bala get someone to record everything.

Somehow I was chosen to do this as everyone felt I was the one lawyer who did not have an agenda in this matter as I was someone neutral. I agreed and that was when I made an appointment for Bala to come to my office so that I could record all he had to say.

The recordings occurred about two or three times over a period of about two months and lasted a few hours each time.

How did you feel when Bala came out with the second statutory declaration? Did you attempt to contact him?

I received a call from a member of the press at about 9.30am on July 4, 2008 asking me why my client, Bala, had called a press conference for 11am that morning at the Prince hotel.

I was a little surprised as I had no idea what this was about so I proceeded to call Bala, who did not answer his phone. I then proceeded to make further enquiries only to find out that Bala had purportedly been represented by another lawyer, one Arunampalam who had spoken to the press at that press conference on behalf of Bala and had said that Bala was retracting the contents of his first SD as he had been forced to sign it under duress.

When I came to know of this press conference and what transpired thereat, I was absolutely flabbergasted. Bala and I had spent two months and many hours over the first SD to ensure it was absolutely correct and for him to deny the contents in the space of 24 hours did seem incredible to me.

Bala had anticipated that he would be arrested by the police after releasing the first statutory declaration and he told me so. This is why he had handed over his mobile phone to me for safe keeping before he left my office the evening before as he did not want the police to download information from it.

We were therefore preparing for his arrest and then to go to the police station he was being held at to represent him. I never expected him to have been 'hijacked' by the personalities involved, and I am sure, neither did he.

It is also worth mentioning here that this lawyer, Arunampalam, was not engaged by Bala to represent him at the press conference at the Prince hotel despite the fact that Arunampalam has said Bala called him and asked him to do so. This is a blatant lie.

Bala does not know this man and had never met him prior to that press conference. In fact, it is well-known that Arunampalam does legal work for Deepak and this can be substantiated quite easily.

There is no doubt in my mind that Bala was forced, coerced, threatened and intimidated into signing the second statutory declaration.

Bala subsequently disappeared for one year. When did you meet him next?

Bala called me around July 19, 2009. I was at that time in a little village called Llanwarne on the Welsh border staying with some friends of mine. My wife was also with me. I was surprised to hear his voice as I hadn't heard from him since he left my office with ASP Suresh in the early evening of July 3, 2008.

He started off the conversation by apologising to me for any trouble he had caused. He said he was returning to Malaysia on July 28 and wanted to see me. I informed him I was only returning to Kuala Lumpur on Aug 2 and landing in the early hours of the morning. He gave me a contact number to call and I said I would call him after I landed to arrange a meeting.

At approximately 9am on Aug 2, 2009, I called the number Bala had given me and we arranged to meet in about two days' time. We left the exact time and place to be decided later.

On Aug 4, we finally arranged to meet at my apartment in Ampang Hilir at about 1pm the next day. As Bala wanted to tell me everything that had happened to him since I saw him last, I thought it would be best to have some witnesses present and so I called my counsel, Manjeet Singh Dhillon and another lawyer, Amarjit Singh Sidhu. They both turned up at about 12pm and we waited for Bala to arrive.

Bala eventually turned up a little later than expected as he was having difficulty locating my apartment. He arrived with two other Indian gentlemen who were introduced to us but I cannot recall their names.

He then spent about three hours telling us exactly what had happened to him. During this time he was constantly questioned by myself, Manjeet and Amarjit.

We had arranged for a concealed audio visual device to record this conversation as we felt Bala may have needed some insurance in the event he was apprehended by the parties involved in his departure from this country over a year ago. He did not know he was being filmed at that time but we did inform him of this later and he understood why we did it.

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Were you convinced by Bala's story? What documentary evidence did you have?

After approximately three hours of conversation, we were more than convinced that what he was telling us was the truth. It took quite a long time to unravel the details as Bala was recalling events which had taken place over a year ago coupled with the fact that there were so many details.

At that stage, Bala did not reveal any documentary evidence as he was still very apprehensive of the entire situation but he did tell us details of all the evidence he had from bank account statements, passports, flight tickets and photocopied cheques paid to him.

We therefore asked him to produce this evidence and he assured us he would.

What was your advice to Bala at the meeting? Was there a follow-up meeting after that?

After digesting everything we were told, we felt it was necessary to record the events which had taken place in a suitable, chronological and coherent format as we were concerned the matter was rather serious.

We advised Bala to hand over all documents to us to enable us to further verify his story. He promised us he would but said he would have to go to his wife's bank (EON) to get her statements for the past year and that other documents were still in India. He did however have copies of his family's passports and copies of the cheques Deepak had signed. He eventually produced these documents to me by hand, by post and by fax.

We advised Bala to behave normally with Deepak and ASP Suresh and not to let them know he had seen us. He told us he would be returning to India shortly and would contact us again. From then on, all contact with Bala was by phone and email.

As a lawyer, do you think Bala has committed any offences?

Technically, he may have committed an offence under the Statutory Declarations Act 1960 by swearing a false declaration. By this I mean the second SD, not the first SD. However under the circumstances, he would have a good defence to a charge of that nature as it would appear he was coerced, intimidated and/or forced to sign the second SD under duress.

Making a false second SD technically exposes Bala to criminal prosecution. It would equally make the ones who instigated the swearing of the false second SD [Deepak/ Arunampalam/Suresh], liable to criminal charges for abetment and conspiracy.

If we refer to section 3 of the SD Act 1960, this states that SDs made under the Act are such declarations as are referred to in sections 199 and 200 of the Penal Code, and where false would be punishable under that Act.

Section 199 of the Penal Code reads:

"Whoever, in any declaration made or subscribed by him, which declaration any court, or any public servant or other person, is bound or authorised by law to receive as evidence of any fact, makes any statement which is false, and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, touching any point material to the object for which the declaration is made or used, shall be punished in the same manner as if he gave false evidence."

This provision is then followed by Section 200 of the Penal Code which states that whoever corruptly uses or attempts to use as true any such declaration knowing the same to be false in any material point, shall be punished in the same manner as if he gave false evidence.

Even if we limit ourselves to these provisions alone, offences are clearly shown to have been committed by Deepak, Suresh and Arunampalam. Bala may well have a defense of duress but that would be a matter of evidence.

In so far as Nazim (Razak) is concerned, he was involved in criminal intimidation of Bala besides a possibility of being roped into the abetment/conspiracy charges arising from the creation of the second false SD.

Note also that under section 10[b] of the ACA 1997, it is an offence to corruptly give to any person an inducement in such circumstances as those in which Bala was induced to make the false second SD. Deepak, Suresh and Nazim could well be prosecuted under these provisions.

With the evidence that you and the other lawyers have seen from Bala and based on Bala's own explanation, do you think the PM (Najib Abdul Razak) and his wife (Rosmah) are personally involved in this (matter)? Or was it done on their behalf by someone?

If you mean Bala's disappearance, then the facts seem to point to the possibility that they wanted him out of the way and delegated this job to others close to them to execute.

As matters stand, I am concerned about the involvement of Nazim, Najib's younger brother. The question is why would he have an interest in Bala's disappearance if it were not to protect his brother?

I think this is the conclusion any reasonable person would come to.

Tomorrow - Death and Molotov cocktails

THE BALA TAPES

Part 1: Bala was in town, now on Youtube

Part 2: PI Bala reveals his final hours in M'sia

Part 3: Cops grill PI Bala in Bangkok, praise his courage

Part 4: PI Bala - From Bangkok to Kathmandu to Delhi

Part 5: 'I was told Rosmah was happy with my retraction'

MK

26/11/09

Hindraf anniversary: Presenting PM with roses

NE

26/11/09

Hunger strike to mark Hindraf's 2nd anniversary

NE

26/11/09

Selangor moves to stop UMNO's BTN ‘brainwashing’ to create hatred among Malaysians

SHAH ALAM, Nov 25 — Selangor moved today to ban its civil servants, employees of state subsidiaries and students at state-owned education institutions from attending any Biro Tata Negara (BTN) courses with immediate effect.

Dr Halimah Ali announced the decision today after the weekly state executive council meeting.

Halimah, a state executive council member whose portfolio includes education, described BTN programmes as “indoctrination by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government”.

"The courses promote racism and my own children who have attended BTN have been given booklets that encourage hate towards the opposition,” said Halimah.

"The programmes are not positive to young minds, and are a waste of money which could have used to foster real unity."

BTN courses have been running for years, and are intended to instil nationalistic values and patriotism, but are now seen as more of a propaganda unit. The courses are for university students on public scholarships and civil servants. BTN is under the Prime Minister’s Department.

Under the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) administration's new directives, students at Selangor government-owned institutions of higher learning including Universiti Industri Selangor (Unisel), Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Selangor and Inpens Selangor will no longer be required to go for BTN courses.

Last week, a group of young PR elected representatives urged the Selangor government to stop allowing students to be sent for what they called “brainwashing propaganda” programmes by BTN.

The group of seven PR lawmakers had also said BTN courses — compulsory for local university students and civil servants — taught students to hate and were contrary to their original purpose as well as the Constitution.

Seri Setia state lawmaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, speaking from his own experience, said they were told that PKR members were Jewish agents, that DAP was a Singapore party, while PAS was labelled a deviant movement.

Batu Caves lawmaker Amirudin Shari said a big part of the programme had nothing to do with nation building or education but was an Umno and BN race-based programme where participants are indoctrinated with propaganda about “Ketuanan Melayu”.

It is understood that the BN federal government plans to overhaul the BTN courses in response to growing criticisms.

The Malaysian Insider had reported last week that the proposal to revamp BTN courses is part of initiatives being pushed by Datuk Seri Idris Jala and a task force set up to promote 1 Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Razak's concept announced when he took the top job on April 3.

1 Malaysia is one of several laboratories set up to push through ideas on Key Performance Index (KPI) and National Key Results Areas (NKRAs) that Najib knows will be the tipping point in the next general election.

His ruling BN coalition was badly beaten in Election 2008 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when it lost four more states and 82 federal seats to give up its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority.

Those attended the five-day training courses revealed that Barisan Nasional was using such activities to indoctrinate the younger generation aged between 23 and 30 with ideas that could create racial uneasiness.

They were given brochures that had highlighted issues that sowed the seeds of hatred among races

It was felt the BTN needed a complete makeover to promote inclusiveness.

MI
25/11/09

Hindraf 25th November uprising 2nd anniversary @ (KLCC)

At about 9 a.m 18 Hindraf hunger strikers and about 100 hindraf supporters had gathered at KLCC, from 9.00 a.m onwards. At 1.30p.m seven year old Vaishnavi, the only daughter of Hindraf Chairman P.Waytha Moorthy arrived together with her mother Nageswari Hindraf lawyers P.Uthayakumar and Manoharan Malayalam and gave away roses to the 18 Hindraf hunger strikes and supporters to signify UMNO’s unfulfilled Hindraf 18 point demands dated 12/8/07 There was a large presence of the local and international media and also the police force.

P.Uthayakumar in his brief address recalled that one person had died, about 300 arrested, and thousands of others were attacked with chemical laced water cannons, tear gas fired at them and beaten up or injured.“Today we remember and recognize all their sacrifices he said.

P.Uthayakumar also paid tribute to all the thousands of Hindraf supporters who held nationwide prayers and campaigns for the release of the Hindraf lawyers from 514 days of ISA detention. P.Uthayakumar said he has no regrets and took his detention as a part of the struggle as in every people power struggle, a sacrifices have to be made. P. Uthayakumar said the struggle for Hindraf’s 18 point demands and to put the Malaysian Indians into the national mainstream development of Malaysia after having excluded them for 52 years would continue.

Lawyer Manoharan Malayalam said that it brought him memories of the 25th day of November 2007 when he drove here today. Manoharan asked the government of Malaysia to stop all the discrimination against the Malaysian Indians.

The hindraf motivational song Tholvi Nelaiyena ninai thal was sung. After three shouts of Hindraf, Makkal Sakthi and Manitha Urimai (human rights) the Hindraf supporters dispersed peacefully.

P. Uthayakumar had occasion to say that “this was what exactly we had intended to do even on the 25th day of November 2007 but was brutally attacked, arrested and tortured by UMNOs’ Malay-sian police force and the Hindraf lawyers detained without trial for 514 days under the ISA.

S. Jayathas
Information Chief,

HRP

25/11/09

Hindraf flowers and letter to P.M Najib shun. Hindraf 25th November 2007 uprising 2nd Anniversary.

Hindraf had last week written to Prime Minister Najib Razak that they would be present at the Prime Minister’s office at Putrajaya today the second anniversary of the 25th November 2007 Hindraf peaceful uprising.

But we were told by one police Inspector Shahrom and then Superintendent Mak Pak Choh that none of the Prime Minister’s Secretaries were available and only some desk secretary would be present to receive our latter and flowers.

Seven year old Vaishnavi Waytha Moorthy, Hindraf’s frontline future torch bearer and carrying the message of peace by her father and exiled Hindraf Chairman P. Waytha Moorthy waited but even the Prime Minister’s desk secretary had refused to come down to greet meet and accept her gesture of flowers.

Police Superintendent Mak then told us that we had to disperse in ten minutes time or we would be arrested. P. Uthayakumar instead gave the desk officer Huzairi two minutes to come down to meet us. When he did not arrive, the dejected seven year old Vaishnavi was forced to leave the bouquet of flower to Prime Minster Najib Razak and her father’s letter at the doorsteps of the Prime Minister’s Putrajaya office. There shouts of Hindraf Makkal Sakthi and Manitha Urimai were said before we all left the Prime Minister’s office doorsteps.

At 4.00 p.m outside the Prime Minister’s office a short prayer was held and then drinks were served to the 18 hunger strikers and other supporters to break their hunger strike. These 18 Hindraf hunger strikers were protesting against the non fulfillment of Hindraf’s 18 point demands dated 12/8/2007 by the Malay-sian One Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak.

S. Jayathas
Information Chief.
HRP
25/11/09

25th November: HINDRAF letter to Prime Minister Najib from P.Waythamoorthy

HRP
25/11/09

HINDRAF’S NOVEMBER 25TH Nov 2009- Prayer Temple List

HINDRAF’S NOVEMBER 25TH NEO DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION
International/Nation wide Prayer- Temple List

ENGLAND/BELGIUM/AUSTRALIA/US

1. Highgate Murugan Temple London
2. Vinayagar Temple Wimbledon
3. Sri Thurgai Amman Temple Ealing
4.Sri Krishna Mandir Pales Straat Belgium
5. Sri Murugan Temple Brisbane Australia
6. Sri Sitti Vinayagar Temple New York

PENANG
Location Lead Contact #

1. Muniandy Temple, Jalan Baru, Perai Kumar 012-5390250
2. Muthalaaman Kovil, Bukit Tambun, Anna Turai 017-4107244
Simpang Empat, Batu Kawan
3. Sunderasa Meenachiamman Temple, Waterfall Maran 012-5557522
Penang
4. Queen Street Mariamman Temple, Penang Selvam 016-4827974
5. Vinayagar Temple, Fettes Park, Penang Raju 019-4574855
6. Muniandy Temple, Tanjong Court, Farlim, Penang Shankar 016-5656917
7. Sri Gada Muniswara Temple, Island Park, Penang Kumar 013-4745451
8. Krishnan Temple, Sungai Dua, Penang Rajan 012-4589835
9. Mariamman Temple Bukit Tengah Sundar 016-4907650
10. Kaliamman Temple , Gelugor, Penang Maran 012-5557522

11. Poomarthaman Temple , Gelugor, Penang Kalay 012-5637614

12. Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Simpang Est, Babu
Simpang Ampat,Penang

13. Sri Argasiamman Alayam,Jawi,N.tebal Letchumanan 012-25585758

14. Sri sithi Vinayar Temple,N.Tebal Letchumanan 012-25585758

15. Sri Maha Mariamman temple,Kalidonia,N.Tebal Letchumanan 012-25585758

16. Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple,Ldg Krian,N.Tebal Letchumanan 012-25585758

17. Sri Maha mariamman Alayam,Transkrian,N.tebal Letchumanan 012-25585758

18. Sri murugan temple kampong baru mak mandin Samy .
012 4125723

19. Muniandy temple, Permatang pauh Shanker
017 4693317 012-25585758

N.SEMBILAN
1. Murugan Alayam ,Lobak Siva 019-6944693
2. Sri Balathandayuthabani Alayam,Seremban Murugayah 016-2478830
3. Subramaniar Alayam,Nilai Mohan Rao 019-6211103
4. Sri Murugan Alayam,Mambau Mrs.Nayagi 019-2762511
5. Sri Selva Vinayagar Alayam,Temiang Param 013-2787176
6. Sri Muniswarar Alayam,Bt.5,Jln.Tampin Kannis 012-6323843
7. Sri Ambal Alayam,Lukut,PD Sivam 019-6621948
8. Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil Ragavan 016-2764859
9. Sri Karumariamman Alayam,Bt.6,Jln.PD komalam 012-3877352
10. Sri Mariamman Alayam,Bt.3 Jln.Labu uthayakumar 012-3749427
11. Sri Kaliamman Alayam,Bt.5,Kuala Sawah. Ramesh 019-6929984
12. Sri Mariamman Alayam,Jln.Rasah Navalan 016-6025269
13. Sri Muthumariamman Alayam,S’Ban Est Philomeena 014-3268114
14. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Bandar PD Krishnamoorthy 014-9331219
15. Balathandayutha Bani alayam,Rantau Chandrasegaran 019-6509159
16. Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Ldg.Linsum,Rantau S.P Nyana velan 016-6340659
17. Arulmigu Agilandakodi Bhrammana Nayagi
Sri Maha Mariammbigai,Kuala Sawah,Rantau Ragu Duraijaya 016-6511393
18. Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Ldg Atherton. Selvaraju 013-2550835
19. Sri Maha Mariamman Lukut,Dat.Segar,PD Veerapan 019-6220549
20. Sri Raja Rajeswarar,Tmn.Tuanku Jaafar,Swang. Bala 014-3247140

JOHOR -Murugesan (012-7792503) / Mohan (019-7102895)
1. Murugan Kovil (Skudai) JB.
2. Muniswaran Kovil (Tampoi) JB.
3. Murugan Kovil (Jalan wadiana) JB.
4. Maha mariayaman Kovil (JB Town)
5. Aman Kovil (Kulai Besar) Kulai JB.
6. Aman Kovil (Dato chelam) Ulu Tiram JB.
7. Murugan Kovil (Jalan Kolam Air) JB.
8. Mariayaman Kovil (Sutra Moll) Skudai JB.
9. Kaliyaman Kovil (Masai) JB.
10. Muniswaran Kovil (Pasir Gudang Hiway) JB.
11. Mariyaman Kovil Paloh (Kluang) JB.
12. Murugan Kovil (Masai) JB.
13. Muniswaran Kovil (Plentong) JB.
14. Raja Kaliyaman Kovil (JB)
15. Murugan Kovil (Taman Kota Yong Peng) JB.
16. Murugan Kovil (Segamat) JB.
17. Mariyaman Kovil (Chaah) Segamat JB.
18. Mariyaman Kovil (Jalan Hospital Kluang) JB.
19. Sri Sangili Karuppar Alayam,Tmn Skudai,JB (Karthik 016-7558457)

KEDAH Ramu (016-4919956)
1.St.Micheal Church, Alor Setar - Daniel
2.Karumariamman Temple, Alor Setar -Kanasingam
3.Sri Mariamman Temple,Alor Setar -kumaraguru

PERAK Ramesh (019-5235528)
1.Sri Sithi Vinayagar Devasthanam - Sitiawan
2.Maha Mariamman Alayam - Ladang Belham
3.Maha Mariamman Alayam - Ladang Sogomana
4.Sri Krishnar Alayam - Ayer Tawar
5.Maha Mariamman Alayam - Kg.Columbia
6.Kallumalai Sri Subramaniam Temple, Ipoh
7.Sri Mariamman Temple, Buntong
8.Sri Muniswarar temple, Buntong
9.Sri Nagambal Temple, Tmn.Rifah, Ipoh
10.Kanthan Kallumalai Temple, Chemor
11.Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Kg.Chikkidi, Buntong
12.Vella Vinayagar Temple, Jln.Changkot Jong, Teluk Intan
13.Maha Mariamman Temple, Jln.Changkat Jong, Teluk Intan
14.Seethambal Mariamman Temple, Teluk Intan
15.Sri Naagama Temple,jln Sittambaram Pillai,Teluk Intan
16.Sri Mariamman Temple, Jln Kekabu,Teluk Intan
17.Sri Subramaniar Alayam, Batu Gajah,Perak (Bala)
18.Sri Kaliamman Alayam,Batu Gajah,Perak (Bala)
19.Sri Maha Mariamman Temple,Bidor,Teluk Intan,Perak (Arumugam)
20.Sri Sithi Vinayagar Alayam,Kubu Gajah,Perak (Nathan)
21.Sri Muniswarar Alayam,Hutan Melintang,Perak (Murthi)
22.Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Hutan Melintang Perak (Murthi)
23.Sri Maha Mariamman alayam,Bt.9,Bagan Datoh,Perak (Murthi)
24.Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Ladang Biji,Bagan Datoh,Perak (Murthi)
25.Sri Sivamuni Alayam,Ldg Gula Division 55,Bagan Serai,Perak (Muniandy,Ravi)
26.Sri Ramar Alayam,Ee Seng Est.Sg.Gedong,Bagan Serai,Perak (Muniandy,Ravi)
27.Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Semmangol,Bagan Serai Perak (Muniandy,Ravi)
28.Sri Subramaniar Alayam,Sg.Siput,Perak (Rachagan)
29.Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Kemunting,Sg.Siput,Perak (Rachagan)
30.Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Kampar Est,Kampar,Perak (Jega)
31.Sri Naga Muniswarar Alayam,Temoh,Kampar,Perak (Jega)
32.Sri Muniswarar Alayam,Batu Putih,Kampar,Perak (Jega)
33.Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman Alayam,Trb Est,Trong,Perak (Jega)
34.Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Beruas,Perak (Maniam)
35.Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Laurdardale Est,Bkt.Gantang,Perak (Thanarajan)
36.Sri Subramaniar Alayam,Selama,Perak (Siva)
37.Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Padang Rengas,Perak (Siva)
38.Sri Kaliamman Alayam,Kati Est,Kuala Kangsar,Perak (Sivasingam)
39.Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Senggang Est,Kuala Kangsar,Perak (Sivasingam)
40.Om Sri Sadamuniswarar Alayam,Simpang Halt,Taiping,Perak (Jeya Mohan)
41.Sri Subramaniar Alayam,Grik,Perak (Muniandy)
42.Sri Maha mariamman Temple,Parit Buntar,Perak (Sivakumar)
43.Sri Subramaniar Temple.Parit Buntar,Perak (Sivakumar)
44.Sri Muniswarar temple,Tg.Piandang,Parit Buntar,Perak (Sokalingam)
45.Sri Subramaniar Alayam,Kuala Kurau,Perak (Sokalingam)
46.Sri Tilai Kaliaman Temple,Bagan Serai,perak (Jeeva)
47.Sri Sivan Alayam,Bagan Serai,Perak (Jeeva)
48.Sri Vinayagar Alayam,Simpang Lima,Parit Buntar,Perak (Sundram)

SELANGOR
1. Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Tanjung Sepat ( Mani /Raja 017-8857619 )
2. Sri Kaligambal Temple ,Taman Sentosa ( Raja 017-8857619 )
3. Bala Subramaniam Temple , Port Klang ( Raja 017-8857619 )
4. Sri Rajamariamman Temple , Sentul ( Nava 016-6446885 )
5. Sri Thurgai Amman Temple , B.B Sentul ( Nava 016-6446885 )
6. Muniswarar Alayam , Sentul Jln Tanah Lapang ( Nava 016-6446885 )
7. Arulmigu Sri Thurgai Amman Temple, Selayang ( Siva 019-3418620 )
8. Sri Mahamariamman Temple , Midlands ( Thiagu 012-6195862 )
9. Sri Vada Bathrakali Amman ,Rawang ( Balan 012-2640478 )
10. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple , Rawang ( Hari 016-3197018 )
11. Sri Kanchi Kamathchi Amman Temple, Rawang ( Vicky 017-3032808)
12.Sri Veerapathy Vinayagar Temple, Rawang ( Sathish 014-6649730 )
13. Sri Subramaniam Temple, Ulu Yam Baru ( Kumar 016-9075657 )
14. Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Ladang Bukit Jalil ( Capt Bala 019-2166205 )
15. Sri Thandayuthabani Temple , Kapar ( Saamy 017-3469650)
16. Sri Agilandeswari Temple, Kapar ( Saamy 017-3469650 )
17. Sangali Karupan Temple, Rawang ( Selvam 016-3137840 )
18. Subramaniam Temple, Batu Caves ( Nava 016-6446885 )
19.Sivan Temple,Klang (R.Mohan 012 3122267)
20.Sri Maha Mariamman,Kg.Muhibah,Rawang (Kala 014-3318235)
21.Sri Vayuputra Alayam,Rawang ( Pugan 017-2785635)
22.Sri Muniswarar Alayam,Rawang (Saras 017-2554048)
23.Sri Kaliamman Alayam,Rawang (Nathan 017-3800596)
24.Sri Madurai Veeran Alayam,Rawang (Sundar 019-3733541)
25.Sri Sangili Karuppar Alayam,Tmn Awana,Cheras (Mani 013-6092699)
26.Sri Balathandayuthabani Temple,Kapar (Samy 017-3469650)
27.Sri Nagakanni Temple,Sementa,Kapar (Param 017-3469650)
28.Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Bt.Ampat,Klg (Mani 019-2463181)
29.Sri Sanggili Karuppar Alayam,Bkt.Jalil. (Shanti 012-3766433)
30.Sri Karumariamman Alayam,Banting (KM Raj 019-2295445)
31.Sri Mariamman Alayam.Golconda Est,Meru (Samy 017-3469650)
32.Sri Karpaga Vinayagar Kovil,Kg,Jawa,Klg (Mani 103-6092699)
33.St.Joseph Church,Sentul (Shanti 012-3766433)
34.Sri Maha Mariamman temple,Tmn.Sentosa,Kapar (Samy 017-3469650)
35.Sri Veerabatharar Kaliamman Temple,Tmn.Medan,PJ (Sree 012-2587345)

PAHANG

1. Sri Subramaniar Alayam,Tanah Rata,Cameron (Simattri)
2. Sri Murugan Alayam,Kuala Terlah,Cameron (Simattri)

KELANTAN
1. Sri Sivasubramaniar Alayam,Kota Bahru,Kelantan (Tharman)
2. Sri Maha Mariamman Alayam,Kuala Kerla Est,Kelantan (Tharman

HRP
25/11/09

HINDRAF: 25th November 2007, 2 years after

The Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGO’s (COMIN) had in December 2007 called on the Government to look into the issues raised by HINDRAF and resolve these issues through dialogue and peaceful negotiations rather than suppressing the grievances raised through measures that can only be considered as vengeful and hateful.

pic: human rights party

We had made our call subsequent to the peaceful mass rally on 25th November 2007 organised by HINDRAF which was brutally suppressed by the Federal Reserve Unit who shot water cannon with chemically laced water and tear gas at peaceful protestors. Five of the key organizers, Waythamoorthy, Uthayakumar, Manoharan, Ganabathy Rao, Vasanthakumar and Kengadharan were incarcerated in Kamunting under the Internal Security Act while Waythamoorthy is still living in exile continuing his struggle.

Many saw the Hindraf rally as a wake up call for Malaysian Indians, but in truth we now realise that 25th November 2007 was a wake up call for Malaysians of all races. About 3 months later, on 8th March 2008, Malaysia saw a peaceful transition of power in 4 state governments to the Pakatan Rakyat with the Barisan Nasional losing its two-thirds majority in Parliament for the first time in recent memory.

The results of the General Elections in 2008 exposed the strong feelings of discontent against corruption, discrimination, abuse of powers by law enforcement agencies, violent action taken against peaceful demonstrators, use of ISA against dissenters, mismanagement and maladministration in the public sector, and a severe lack of meaningful initiatives to alleviate the problems of both the urban and rural poor. For once it exposed the weakness in the communal politics and the failure of the national leadership and that of the minority community in realizing their constitutional rights.

It was only after the severe defeat at the General Elections 2008 and the several subsequent by-elections did the authorities show any sign of realisation as to the depth and severity of the issues affecting the Malaysian Indians specifically and majority Malaysians generally.
Though, we note that some initiatives are being implemented by the Federal Government and State Governments on a piecemeal basis, we have concerns as to whether such initiatives are real institutional changes that will offer change and restore confidence in the minds of people.

This land belongs to all. It is our primordial duty to see that no single citizen is made to feel as if he is not one among us. There is enough for all and everyone. For democracy to succeed it has to be a tool that ought to address the needs of the weak and the minority more than the majority. We agree that the nation must be centred on the Federal Constitution, rule of law and institutional reforms that guarantee the rights of every citizen, without dwelling on our communal differences.

Noting the prevailing socio-political situation, on this, the 2nd anniversary of the HINDRAF rally, COMIN makes the following proposals:-

1. We urge the Indian Community in Malaysia to engage with each other and be united in what should be a common aim of empowering impoverished Indians so they can be useful citizens of this country. Whilst differences can and should exist and be debated rationally and through the democratic process, we urge politicians, temple leaders and NGOs to put aside personality clashes and political differences when dealing with the plight of poor Indians and work together across party lines in this common aim. Thus, we call on all Indian Members of the Dewan Rakyat, Dewan Negara and the respective State legislative assemblies to form one cross party political caucus to address Indian issues, similar to what we see in the US Congress, where Black and Pacific Island caucuses exist consisting of members from both the Republican and Democratic parties.

2. We also urge the Federal Government and all State Governments, be they from the Barisan Nasional or the Pakatan Rakyat, to show their sincerity in improving the lot of the Indian Community. Concrete and tangible efforts must be made to improve educational opportunities, moral upliftment, the provision of living skills training and the creation of employment and small business opportunities. Efforts to improve national unity must be done in a transparent and genuine method. To that end, we reiterate our call for the creation of an independent non political Task Force to be a monitoring body comprised of representatives selected by NGOs themselves to oversee the implementation of the initiatives for reform that are so desperately needed.

The Government’s “1Malaysia” concept must be practised and implemented in a manner that gives every Malaysian the sense of pride that he is wanted, appreciated and recognised in the development and progress of our beloved country.

Thank you.
Datuk A. Vaithilingam
Chairman
Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGO’s (COMIN)
24th November 2009
Contact: +6.012.297.0765

HINDRAF: 25TH OF NOV - TWO YEARS AFTER.‏
From: info@humanrightspartymalaysia.com
A sea of aggrieved humanity descended to the center of KL on that historic day the 25th of Nov 2007, and there that day was born Hindraf . Even though it had existed as a loose grouping of just over 30 NGOs, the Hindraf we all recognize today was indeed born then.

It was more of a phenomenon than an organization even on that day.

Many of us were swept along into that phenomenon because of what it meant to all of us. What happened that day was a crystallization of something that had been brewing for a very long time in the minds of the Indians in the country. It includes emotions of seething anger, disgust, bitterness, alienation and helplessness. All these deriving from a lifelong experience of being put aside, being put down, being treated with indignity, being
sidelined, being discarded, being treated like subhumans in situations, being denied the most basic of rights, being denied equal opportunities, being given reasons and excuses which we felt totally helpless to do anything about.

Now after two long years of struggle as an organization we have found a clear direction and a firm basis by which to engage in what will be a prolonged struggle – for the inertia of status quo is very strong.

Hindraf Finds Itself

We have removed the chaff from the wheat. Most of those who do not belong, have found their way out. We have cleared ourselves of many wishful thoughts. We have a better understanding of reality. We know what the real issues are, who our true friends are and who fair-weather friends are and who our enemies are. Two years have given us much opportunity to engage with the issues and to learn from the various struggles. We can see our mission clearer now for all that.

And it is a historic mission.

Hindraf is a working class movement and the HRP is a working class party.
Hindraf and HRP lead the Indian poor and marginalized . This is where we originated from – fight against a convergence of racism by the UMNO regime and economic exploitation by the power elite of the country.

Hindraf and HRP will lead the Indian poor and marginalized today to realize a new life for them.

This is our mission

The Indian marginalized and poor are factory workers, service workers, manual workers, often contract workers, they are drivers, they are security guards, they are the cleaners, they are the gardeners, they are the helpers, they are washerwoman in restaurants, they are criminals in prison, they are the dreg of Malaysian society. They form the majority of the Indians in the country. What characterizes the Indian society at large in Malaysia today is a constant struggle only for the basics of life. Compare with the other segments of society and you see a rams for them and this basic struggle for the Indians.

The Indians are also the dispossessed in our society. They have no kampungs to go back to. They have no ancestral structures to fall back on. They only have their working power to live their lives by. And that, is being blocked in so many ways by the working of this racist system.
And to top this all, the poor and marginalized Indians have been kept in a state of ignorance for as long as they have existed in this country.

This makes them a group that is most desirous of change, most in need of change.

To bring about change is their historic role.

But they do not yet recognize this role. Hindraf and HRP now have set themselves the agenda of creating this recognition and in the process, uniting this group under one umbrella and forcing change in the system.

Forcing change through empowered participation in the political processes in Government. The Indian poor and marginalized have the most to gain from a change to the system and they have the least to lose by any change. Thus they have the potential for leading change in this country like no other single group.

Hindraf has evolved over these two years to become that organization that discovered this historic mission for itself and this historic role for the Indian poor and marginalized. This role requires political clout – something which cannot be realized through any existing arrangement. The needs of the Indian working poor can only be met by a re-engineering of the basic grouping within Government, by restructuring the constitution of those holding the reins of power.

HRP, the political wing of Hindraf has taken on as its objective to participate at levels of government that empowers them to bring about the change to the basic policies. This will mean a change for all the poor and marginalized, not just for the Indians. But the Indian working poor organized well and led well have the potential for leading the charge and creating change for all the working poor and marginalized in the country.

The work for the HRP has just begun. Hindraf forms the mass base and HRP becomes the wing that will take the agenda onto the struggle for national policy change.

This is so clear now after two years of struggle.

A journey of a thousand miles starts but with a single step.




Hindraf

25/11/09

Hindraf members commemorate Nov 25, 2007 rally

About two dozen Hindraf supporters gathered at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre shopping mall this morning to take part in a hunger strike to commemorate the second year anniversary of the movement's mass gathering.

Led by Hindraf activist S Jayathas, the group arrived at the KLCC entrance at about 9.10am. Sixteen of them were wearing orange coloured Hindraf t-shirt. Most of them also have anti-ISA badges on them.

They plan to observe an 18-hour hunger strike until 4pm to represent the movement's 18-point demands to the government to alleviate the plight of the Indian community in this country.

"The 18-point demands are meant to alleviate the ethnic Indians Malaysians from hardcore poverty.

"There is no guidance and opportunities for the Indians, so many turn to crime. The government knows about the problem but is not taking action," said Jayathas.

One of those participating in the hunger strike T Samy, 32, said he joined the group to highlight the "sufferings" of the Indian community.

"The government should open their ears to the Indian plight. Treat us fairly," said Samy, an engineer from Klang, Selangor.

The police - numbering about 24 - are monitoring the situation.

The KLCC management meanwhile had requested the group not to sit on the pavement as it would disrupt their business.

Memo to PM too

Although the group agreed to this request, the police had then asked the group to disperse following complaints from the property owners. The police also told the group that they were involved in an illegal gathering.

Jayathas refused to stop the hunger strike and split his group into smaller groups of four to continue with the hunger strike.

Later today at 1pm, a group of children will present the hunger-strikers with garlands before proceeding to Putrajaya to hand the same 18-point memorandum to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

On Nov 25, 2007, some 30,000 mobilised in the streets of Kuala Lumpur following a protest rally called by Hindraf to submit a memorandum to the British High Commission on the situation of Indians here.

The government had banned Hindraf last October.

Memo left at PM's office

They arrived at the PM's office at about 2.45pm but there was a brief stand-off between them and a representative from the premier's department over where the memorandum will be handed over.The group had wanted the premier's representative to come out to meet them while the other party had invited five representatives from the group to go in to deliver the memorandum.After waiting for about 45 minutes, the group then left their memorandum at the doorstep and dispersed. Those on the hunger-strike will break their fast at 4pm.A small team of police personnel was also on standby to monitor the situation.On Nov 25, 2007, some 30,000 mobilised in the streets of Kuala Lumpur following a protest rally called by Hindraf to submit a memorandum to the British High Commission on the situation of Indians here.The government had banned Hindraf last October.

25th November 2nd Anniversary Hindraf

Hindraf 18 point demands Hunger strike at KLCC today 25/11/2009. About 100 Hindraf supporters had gathered at KLCC. At 10.00 a.m. one ASP Suhaimi told our Information Chief S. Jayathas who is a Kidney patient with a knee problem not to sit down on the floor at the KLCC main entrance.

S. Jayathas told the ASP that he and the others have a right to be there and assemble peacefully further to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution (freedom of assembly). There is a heavy police presence of about 100 personnell at KLCC. Most of the hunger strikers are standing nearby in groups of 4 to avoid arrest.

Hndraf
25/11/09

Two years on, Hindraf a spent force

Hindraf supporters stage a hunger strike in front of KLCC in Kuala Lumpur this morning to mark the second anniversary of the massive Hindraf protest in the city.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 — Two years ago on this day in 2007 Hindraf organised a protest that saw thousands of working-class Indians take to the streets here, but little remains of its influence today.

The way the rival Hindraf factions are marking the 2nd anniversary of the protest today is indicative of the bleak future of the movement founded by brothers P. Waythamoorthy and Uthayakumar, both lawyers.

While several of the original six Hindraf leaders, including the five who were held under the ISA, are apathetic, many of its members have moved on by joining political parties like the DAP or PKR.

Leaders like Uthayakumar and the former national co-ordinator R.S. Thanenthiran have set up their own political parties and others like former Hindraf treasurer Vasantha Kumar have set up their own NGOs.

All are one way or the other using the Hindraf or Makkal Sakthi name to keep the Indian protest fire alive and hope to ride the wave to political victory in the next general election.

Vasantha Kumar is organising a large-scale Hindraf 2nd anniversary gathering in Klang tonight where he is also expected to formally join the PKR.

A VVIP, believed to be PKR supremo Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is expected to attend, a key organiser of the function told The Malaysian Insider.

He said however that Anwar’s attendance would depend on the size of the crowd and whether the police permit is cancelled at the last minute.

“We are keeping our fingers crossed,” said the organiser who declined to be named.

“Police had shut down a gathering in Johor last week just before Anwar spoke… the same can happen here.”

“We expect at least 5,000 people,” he said.

Text messages are also circulating claiming that Uthayakumar would attend Vasantha Kumar's rally but Uthayakumar when contacted denied he would attend.

"We are marking the Hindraf anniversary in a grand way with protests, fast, prayers and other events," he said.

Uthayakumar and Vasantha Kumar were once close but have since fallen out, accusing each other of pilfering money or working for the police.

A rival Hindraf gathering is also being organised in Klang and probably targeted to draw the crowd away from Vasantha Kumar’s event.

Hindraf insiders say the rival event is organised by supporters of Uthayakumar, who is pro-tem president of the Human Rights Party Malaysia.

Uthayakumar's aides say it is all right for Hindraf supporters to organise functions to mark Hindraf’s 2nd anniversary anywhere in the country.

"We have a strong support base in Klang," the aide said, declining to comment on Vasantha Kumar's rally. "He has betrayed the Hindraf aims and mission."

Vasantha Kumar could not be reached for comment.

To mark the day Uthayakumar is organising several events under the title of “neo-democratic revolution” against the “totalitarian government led by Umno.”

The event involves a protest fast by 18 supporters outside KLCC, a memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and prayers at “more than 100 locations” in the country followed by a Ruthra Yagam or fire ritual prayers at the Agora Veerabathrar Sanggili Karuppar temple at 17½ mile Kampung. Benggali, Rawang, on Nov 29.

Unlike 2007, Hindraf is increasingly giving up on direct political action and relying more on religion through fasting and prayers as tools to organise and win over the Indian working class.

At the other end of the spectrum is the newly-formed pro-Barisan Nasional Makkal Sakthi party which is well funded. It is using a direct house-to-house approach to meet and persuade Indians to join up and support BN.

Its weapon of persuasion is the measures taken by the government under Najib to resolve longstanding woes like getting citizenship and identity cards.

"We are finally recognised and our demands are gradually met... this is the time for us to reap the benefits for our community," said a state leader of the Makkal Sakthi Party. "Pakatan promised but failed to deliver, Barisan is delivering without even promising."

Makkal Sakthi party is particularly active in Perak where the balance of power between Pakatan Rakyat and BN is almost even and Indian voters can make or break either coalition.

The MIC too is rebuilding itself from defeat and with long-time president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu expected to exit by May 2010; the party will have a new leader and probably a new mission — to reunite Indians under its wings.

With its ranks woefully split and challenged from outside by new players and a re-energised MIC, Hindraf is fast losing its influence.

It also lacks a creative and imaginative leadership to pull it out of the rut and turn it into a united and national political force.

Malaysian Insider

25/11/09

Malaysian kangaroo court did it again over Kota Seputeh seat

Suspect judgments

One wonders about the Malaysian court system and the judgments that are issued and reversed within days.

Today is no exception. The Court of Appeals today unanimously ruled to stay Judge Datuk Alizatul Khair Osman Khairuddin’s decision that the Kota Siputeh seat is vacant. She isn’t the first High Court judge to see a ruling reversed by a higher court.

Justice Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim ruled last May that a Mentri Besar can only be dismissed by a vote of no confidence when reinstating Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin as the rightful Perak mentri besar over Pangkor assemblyman Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir. His decision was overruled too.

It goes to show one thing. We must have incompetent or inexperienced High Court judges because they keep getting overruled by the appellate courts in all cases between Pakatan Rakyat and the ruling federal government, Barisan Nasional. What else can it mean?

It surely cannot mean that the High Court judges are better than their fellow judges in the superior courts. The Malaysian Court of Appeals counts among itself the most experienced of judges. They should know the law better than the subordinate courts and it is their wisdom that appears needed when High Court judgments appear to go against the powers-that-be.

One can only hope the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) under Chief Justice Tan Sri Zaki Azmi will look into this matter seriously as the courts system needs judges who know the law and decide accordingly. Having any judgment reversed within the matter of a day does not inspire confidence in the judiciary.

Bodies like the Election Commission and the civil service need to know that their decisions are backed by a judiciary because after all, government knows best, notwithstanding what Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said when he took office as prime minister last April 3.

What matters is that 1 Malaysia must thrive and judges who follow the law and respect the separation of powers must know that it is a fallacy and against the very concept of 1 Malaysia, People First, Performance Now.

At least the Court of Appeals judges are performing now, delivering justice instantly without any delays especially for such an important case. And for that matter the Federal Court too shall perform to ensure 1 Malaysia is a success.

High Court judges must know that by now and not deliver any more suspect judgments that can be overturned in a flash. They should know their place in society. Their brother judges in the higher courts know that already.

MI
24/11/09

25TH OF NOV - TWO YEARS AFTER THE BIRTH OF HINDRAF

A sea of aggrieved humanity descended to the center of KL on that historic day the 25th of Nov 2007, and there that day was born Hindraf . Even though it had existed as a loose grouping of just over 30 NGOs, the Hindraf we all recognize today was indeed born then.
It was more of a phenomenon than an organization even on that day.

Many of us were swept along into that phenomenon because of what it meant to all of us. What happened that day was a crystallization of something that had been brewing for a very long time in the minds of the Indians in the country. It includes emotions of seething anger, disgust, bitterness, alienation and helplessness. All these deriving from a lifelong experience of being put aside, being put down, being treated with indignity, being sidelined, being discarded, being treated like subhumans in situations, being denied the most basic of rights, being denied equal opportunities, being given reasons and excuses which we felt totally helpless to do anything about.

Now after two long years of struggle as an organization we have found a clear direction and a firm basis by which to engage in what will be a prolonged struggle – for the inertia of status quo is very strong.

Hindraf Finds Itself

We have removed the chaff from the wheat. Most of those who do not belong, have found their way out. We have cleared ourselves of many wishful thoughts. We have a better understanding of reality. We know what the real issues are, who our true friends are and who fair-weather friends are and who our enemies are. Two years have given us much opportunity to engage with the issues and to learn from the various struggles. We can see our mission clearer now for all that.

And it is a historic mission.

Hindraf is a working class movement and the HRP is a working class party.
Hindraf and HRP lead the Indian poor and marginalized . This is where we originated from – fight against a convergence of racism by the UMNO regime and economic exploitation by the power elite of the country. Hindraf and HRP will lead the Indian poor and marginalized today to realize a new life for them.

This is our mission.

The Indian marginalized and poor are factory workers, service workers, manual workers, often contract workers, they are drivers, they are security guards, they are the cleaners, they are the gardeners, they are the helpers, they are washerwoman in restaurants, they are criminals in prison, they are the dreg of Malaysian society. They form the majority of the Indians in the country. What characterizes the Indian society at large in Malaysia today is a constant struggle only for the basics of life. Compare with the other segments of society and you see a contrasting vibrant forward looking set of programs for them and this basic struggle for the Indians.

The Indians are also the dispossessed in our society. They have no kampungs to go back to. They have no ancestral structures to fall back on. They only have their working power to live their lives by. And that, is being blocked in so many ways by the working of this racist system. And to top this all, the poor and marginalized Indians have been kept in a state of ignorance for as long as they have existed in this country. This makes them a group that is most desirous of change, most in need of change.
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To bring about change is their historic role.

But they do not yet recognize this role. Hindraf and HRP now have set themselves the agenda of creating this recognition and in the process, uniting this group under one umbrella and forcing change in the system. Forcing change through empowered participation in the political processes in Government. The Indian poor and marginalized have the most to gain from a change to the system and they have the least to lose by any change. Thus they have the potential for leading change in this country like no other single group.

Hindraf has evolved over these two years to become that organization that discovered this historic mission for itself and this historic role for the Indian poor and marginalized. This role requires political clout – something which cannot be realized through any existing arrangement. The needs of the Indian working poor can only be met by a re-engineering of the basic grouping within Government, by restructuring the constitution of those holding the reins of power.

HRP, the political wing of Hindraf has taken on as its objective to participate at levels of government that empowers them to bring about the change to the basic policies. This will mean a change for all the poor and marginalized, not just for the Indians. But the Indian working poor organized well and led well have the potential for leading the charge and creating change for all the working poor and marginalized in the country.

The work for the HRP has just begun. Hindraf forms the mass base and HRP becomes the wing that will take the agenda onto the struggle for national policy change.

This is so clear now after two years of struggle.

A journey of a thousand miles starts but with a single step.

Valga Makkal
Makkal
24/11/09

Peaceful coexistence, which would exist ONLY as a dream in Malaysia

A short pictorial essay on how we could emulate others in peaceful co-existence. Since the source is anonymous, we do not know where these photos were taken, but wouldn't it be great if they were taken in Malaysia?

Buddhist monks invited for prayers

Peaceful co-existence in prayers

Exchanging of ideas

Guests-of-honour at the main table, sharing a simple meal. Can this happen in Malaysia?

NE

24/11/09