GEORGE TOWN: They were electoral buddies in the last general election. Orange-clad foot soldiers of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) were permanent features of the 12th general election, campaigning tirelessly across the country to canvass votes for PKR, DAP and PAS.
Two years on, however, PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim and Hindraf are now drifting apart with their political approaches and ideologies, although both shared the same common goal.
Both aimed to knock Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) off their perch in the next general election but both are now accusing each other of advocating “racist agenda”.
Anwar fired the first salvo by reportedly stating in London recently that “Hindraf uses a racist agenda”.
The statement has irked his political friends from Hindraf and its political wing, Human Rights Party (HRP).
Political rhetoric
Hindraf is chaired by London-based P Waytha Moorthy (photo: centre) while his outspoken elder brother Uthayakumar (photo:left) is the founder of HRP, which is in the process of registration. The latter is also HRP pro-tem secretary-general and Hindraf legal adviser.
Offended Uthayakumar took Anwar to task, pointing out that the “racist agenda” definition was heard only in quota-ridden Malaysia, not anywhere else.
However, he is not surprised to hear Anwar echoing Umno’s 53-year-old political rhetoric and gimmick to sweep things under the carpet.
“Being an ex-Umno stalwart of 17 years standing, it was not a shock for Anwar to use the definition of racist agenda to neutralise Hindraf and HRP.
“It’s to divert public attention from critical Indian issues.
“These issues have already been neglected by PKR, DAP and PAS governments in their two-year rule in Selangor, Penang and Kedah,” he added.
Uthayakumar claimed that Umno's gimmick of using “racist agenda” definition had led to the current critical Indian problems.
He said that going by Anwar’s “racist agenda ala-Umno” definition, South Africa would not have achieved her independence from the white apartheid rule.
Neither, he said, would Barack Obama be in the White House today.
However, he pointed out that no Malaysians of Chinese or Indian origins were ever appointed as president or secretary-general of PKR and PAS.
Similarly, DAP had never appointed an Indian or a Malay as secretary-general.
“Isn’t that a racist agenda of PKR, DAP and PAS?” asked Uthayakumar.
He said the state governments of PKR (Selangor), PAS (Kedah) and DAP (Penang) have full powers by virtue of Section 76 of the National Land Code to grant land to all Tamil schools in their states. Selangor has 98 Tamil schools, Kedah (58) and Penang (28).
Emulating Umno politics
Uthayakumar said Anwar must know these menteris besar and Penang chief minister “can do it (grant land) at one go by a mere stroke of their pens.”
But the Pakatan governments, he said, have failed to do so due to fear of agitating the Malays.
Moreover, he argued these governments view Tamil schools as “profitable and lucrative” landbanks to be exploited as and when necessary for their political party coffers.
“Since Pakatan governments would not address scores of critical Indian problems, what difference will it make to Malaysian Indians if the coalition gets to Putrajaya?” asked Uthayakumar.
He accused Anwar and company of emulating Umno politics to divert attention by claiming that Hindraf and HRP are championing racist issues.
He chided Anwar and other Pakatan leaders, especially heads of state governments, and 77 opposition MPs for declining to meet Hindraf and HRP leaders until today to address the critical Indian problems.
“Hence, we have ended up championing Indian cause because Anwar, Pakatan and Umno have specifically excluded Indians from their national agendas,” he alleged.
Since Anwar only wanted to be “engaged with issues”, Uthayakumar challenged the Pakatan leader to personally deal with outstanding Indian issues.
“Anwar should not address those issues through his Indian ‘mandores’. Neither should he promote mandorism ala Umno in Pakatan,” said Uthayakumar.
He said that by not fighting against Umno racism, Pakatan itself was committing racism, if not aiding and abetting Umno.
He said that Hindraf and HRP would long have been “out of a job” if PKR, DAP and PAS were truly multi-racial entities championing Malaysian Indians.
Uthayakumar added that HRP’s Indian political empowerment strategy was the best way forward to encourage Indians to vote for themselves.
“Neither Umno-dominated BN nor Pakatan will champion or represent the Indian cause. Indians will have to represent themselves accordingly at the highest political decision-making levels,” he said.
FMT
24/03/10
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