Seven Malaysians associated with the Effingham Tamil School in
Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya have commenced a drastic hunger strike in
front of the water fountain in Little India, Brickfields. The Return
Effingham Land Action Team (REFLAX) have been holding candle light
vigils every Saturday night for the past 14 weeks, seeking the return of
3 acres of school land which they alleged have been grabbed by the
Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) which is a component party in the
Barisan National Federal Government. The members of REFLAX decided to
hold this drastic hunger strike as a last resort to compel the return of
the 3 acres land for the future expansion of the school.
After
a brief prayer ceremony witnessed by YB Sivarasa, MP for Subang and YB
Manogaran,
MP for Teluk Intan, the hunger strike officially started at
8.20 am.
YB Sivarasa, MP for Subang giving his blessings to the hunger strikers
YB Manogaran. MP for Teluk Intan giving his blessings to the hunger strikers
Manivanan,
the Chairman of the Return Effingham Land Action Team (REFLAX) in the
coconut breaking ceremony to show the sincerity of the hunger strike
On hand to show support for the hunger strikesr was YB Xavier Jayakumar, Selangor Exco.
The
hunger strikers all seated: LtoR Palanivelan, Nathan Ramalingam,
Tamilavasan, M Telai Amblam, Loganathan, R Suresh Kumar & S
Balakumaran
In a drastic hunger strike, no food or drinks are taken during the
duration of the strike and all the seven participants have vowed to stay
on the strike until the MIC expressly agree to return the 3 acres of
land back to the school.
Within minutes of the commencement of the hunger strike, enforcement
officers from the City Hall of Kuala Lumpur were on hand and informed
the organisers that even though they are allowed to sit at the fountain
they are not allowed to built tents or other structures. The Chairman
of REFLAX, Manivanan appealed to the officers to allow for the tents to
be erected on humanitarian grounds as they are used as a protection from
sun and rain.
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