Waytha: Lift ban on Hindraf, and then we’ll talk

Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson P Waythamoorthy said that if Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak wants to meet with the movement, the government must first lift its ban on it.

Waythamoorthy said he was surprised at the government’s intention to meet with Hindraf, as he had sent an invitation to meet Najib and also opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in August on his return from exile.

“Last week I had already met Anwar whom I recognised as the PM-in-waiting and recently, we had a meeting with PAS spiritual adviser (and Kelantan Menteri Mesar) Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and deputy president Mohamad Sabu,” he said.

“We are not too enthusiastic at the PM’s invitation as we fear it would be used by BN to gain mileage as polls are near. However, if Najib is sincere in meeting Hindraf, he should first lift the ban on the movement and then we will talk,” he told Malaysiakini.

Waythamoorthy, who is the younger brother to P Uthayakumar, said Hindraf had applied to be registered since 2007 but this has not been allowed by the government.

Subsequently, it had also filed judicial review applications and also re-filed another application to register Hindraf in 2010, but this was again rejected. Hindraf had successfully launched a rally on Nov 25, 2007 to seek for the rights of the Indian community.

Waythamoorthy was responding to yesterday’s report that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz had said that Najib was willing to meet with Hindraf to discuss the Indian community’s issues.

“We feel even if it’s the most extreme group like Hindraf, we will meet them as it is an inclusive approach,” said Nazri.