PSM backs Hindraf’s six-point demand

K Pragalath | January 30, 2013

PSM's central committee member Dr D Michael Jeyakumar explains that the delay in endorsing Hindraf's demands is because Hindraf sent the documents only early this month.

PETALING JAYA: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has announced that it would support Hindraf’s six-point demand and also called for the setting up of a Minority Affairs Ministry.

“PSM is against any policies which are discriminative based on race. We call for affirmative actions to be taken irrespective of race and religion to uplift the poor and marginalised in the country.

“We also endorse Hindraf’s call for a Minority Affairs Ministry as we agree with Hindraf that institutional racism exists in our society and that it needs to be identified and addressed in a conscious and concerted fashion.

“Institutionalised racism will not disappear just because there is a change in government,” said Sungai Siput MP Dr D Michael Jeyakumar in a letter dated Jan 21 to Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy.

Hindraf had outlined its six-point blue-print during the group’s fifth year anniversary celebration last November.

The six points are:

1) Stop displacing Indian plantation workers and provide reasonable compensation, as well as, offer skills training to them;

2) Resolve Indian stateless issue;

3) Provide equal education opportunities to all Indian students via meritocracy;

4) Provide equal job and business opportunities to Indians;

5) Stop police brutality and death in custody, and set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC); and

6) Stop institutionalised racism and ratify United Nations convention against racial discrimination.

Hindraf national adviser N Ganesan said that it would back whichever coalition that endorses its demands and its five year blueprint.

Jeyakumar is also PSM’s central committee member explained the reason behind the delay for PSM to back Hindraf’s demand.

“We only received it as a document earlier this month,” he said.

He said that PSM was backing Hindraf’s demands as a matter of principle and not to gain the group’s support in the 13th general election.

“We took a principled support because we are focused on the marginalised poor and Hindraf is also highlighting the marginalised Indian poor. PSM did not jump bandwagon just to gain Hindraf support,” said Jeyakumar.