Yesterday, media reports carried a statement issued by my friend, Jayathas of the Human Rights Party (HRP) that Hindraf did not support the Anything But Umno (ABU) initiative.
Today, sms’s have been circulating, allegedly from Uthayakumar and Jayathas, calling on Hindraf members to not have anything to do with ABU activities.
The media have been hounding me for a response.
I thought I best leave it to the Chairman of Hindraf, Waytha Moorthy, to clear the air on this matter.
He has issued a statement today which does precisely that.
I reproduce the same below.
________________________________
HINDRAF would like to reiterate that it will continue to support any movement from Peninsular and East Malaysia in our attempt to dethrone UMNO and its mandores from their continued atrocity against the society in particular the poor & marginalized ones.
We have always been consistent that UMNO has to go but we will never be able to do it alone. HINDRAF’s decision to take a multi-pronged strategy and engage with any 3rd party opposition forces was taken at the 2nd annual convention held on 4th December 2011. HINDRAF will work with any forces that work in tandem with our agenda to uplift the marginalized segment of Malaysian Indians along with those in similar bracket by working in partnership and moving forward with any force that seek similar agenda similar to ABU on a political stance. Naturally, besides ABU, there are many other organizations like UBF from East Malaysia have sought justice for “Jus soli” of segment of their society that are continuously marginalized and discriminated due to the weakness of their representatives within the UMNO alliance.
HINDRAF’s position in working with other 3rd forces against UMNO is solely on a consensus that human rights and equality should be across the board starting with the poorest segment of the society like the Malaysian Indians and their fellow brethren amongst other Malaysians.
The recent statement issued on instructions of P.Uthayakumar the Secretary General of Human Rights Party with regards to our involvement with ABU was purely his personal view and we in Hindraf respect his views though collectively we differ from his personal opinions.
HINDRAF’s voice is a mix and marriage of the ground root supporters, not one based on an individual. All the national coordinators of HINDRAF from the various states in Malaysia had unanimously agreed that in order to address the issue of the poor and marginalized Malaysian Indians and those in similar position, it needs a concerted effort from all parties irrespective of the race, religion or creed and this is only possible if we heed the grass root supporters call to bring a fruitful success to upheaval social injustice perpetrated by UMNO and its mandores.
HINDRAF call upon all its supporters to continue their support for ABU and any other cause that can ensure the parity stretches amongst Malaysian in recognizing the cry of the poor and marginalized Malaysian Indians.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chair
HINDRAF
26th January 2012.
ACR
January 26, 2012
Whats wrong with Uthayakumar and Jayathas? One guy injured and they want to back out?
Would Mahatma Gandhi have done that?
In the battle against oppression there have to be sacrifices.
And here we have Haris telling Jibby he is ready to die for the cause! Need I say more?
singam
January 26, 2012
Jayathas has suggested in Facebook that he wants ABU to guarantee the Hindraf 18 Point Demand before HRP/Hindraf supports ABU.
He also claims that, since ABU is supported by PAS and PKR leaders, it is a political entity.
Follow the thread here http://on.fb.me/Am7EYe
lim
January 26, 2012
Seriously, the existence of Hindraf has become questionable and irrelevant. Especially this kind of flip-flopping during this critical period. It’s not only undermining its own movement, but bringing collateral damage to ABU at the same time. Haris, please be vigilant and sensitive in making any decision for inclusion of other parties into the movement. Long live ABU
malaysianinNewYork@gmail.com
January 28, 2012
Lim, you are the type of people I fear most neither here nor there as long it serves your own purpose and no thanks to that, is why we need HINDRAF, ABU and likeminded orgs to come about and re-educate us on the depleted state of all malaysians primarily the poor and marginalized after 50 ought years in silence. Speak because you have something to say not because you have to say something.
lim
January 28, 2012
I’m sorry if there was any misunderstanding.
When I first heard that Hindraf was joint with ABU, I was contended, like having a feeling that reinforcement has reached to the battle field. I welcomed and embraced the joining of Hindraf in fighting the dictatorship with no doubt. Anyone who shares the same vision is totally welcomed, the enemy of enemy is friend to us.
All I wanted to say was, please clean up your own mess before helping the others’. Just like what the inflight safety demonstration video shows, put your own mask before helping the next one.
lim
January 28, 2012
Cont’
This kind of internal inconsistency has actually confused the supporter and morale has definitely been affected negatively to certain extent, especially to the Hindraf members. If I were one of them, whom should I follow? 2 versions of results on one issue in which determined by 5 members?
Yes, we need to do much work on education. But how do we get ourselves fully prepared in educating the others when we, ourselves are yet to be ready?
Malaysian
January 26, 2012
Thank you Waytha Moorthy for making Hindraf’s stand clear! Yesterday I was in despair – another dent in the ABU effort. Yes, you’re right – no party can do it alone! This GE13 is the mother of all elections and all parties against BN must unite to save our country from going downhill all the way!
temenggong
January 26, 2012
Harry, a Kg Medan like incident is the end result. This is the concern.
I will hold you responsible.
shakuntala
January 27, 2012
Bravo Mr. Waythamoorthy ….for your confidence, maturity and broad-mindedness to tell all Malaysians that only through a united opposition can the goal to topple UMNO can be achieved.
You and Haris know that this is an urgent call….great minds think alike…Proud of you!
mauriyaII
January 27, 2012
No political party, whether PKR, PAS, DAP or yet to be registered HRP can take on UMNO/BN individually and hope to win the election and capture Putrajaya. It is just not possible. UMNO/BN is too entrenched and they do not shy away from using all the government machinary illegaly to win elections. Najib has already told his storm troopers to defend Putrajaya (UMNO/BN) at all costs.
If the Opposition political parties and all the NGOs fighting for a clean and fair election hope to win and dislodge the arrogant and corrupted UMNO/BN thugs from Putrajaya, they have to SET ASIDE OR RECONCILE THEIR DIFFERENCES AND WORK AS A TEAM to achieve the common goal of booting out UMNO/BN at the 13 GE.
ABU should be the common goal of all opposition parties and NGOs. UMNO/BN is the common enemy that has played the race and religious cards to divide and rule this multi-racial and multi-religious country. They have hijacked the economy and the wealth of the country for themselves leaving the majority of the rakyat poor and marginalised.
UMNO/BN under the evil pseudo Malays/o Mohamad Kutty created an apartheid regime using the NEP as the vehicle to plunder and rape the country for themselves. That evil rogue could not care less for the poor. He was only interested in amassing wealth for himself, his family and his cronies. In the process he became the Hitler of the neo Nazi thugs in UMNO/BN.
The only way to get back the country from these evil megalomaniacs is to unite under ABU and fight them. For the sake of the country, it is fervently hoped the leaders of the Opposition, will keep their egos in check and put up a united front to topple UMNO/BN at the 13 GE.
mauriyaII
January 27, 2012
errata: …the evil pseudo Malay s/o Mohamad Kutty
rajan
January 27, 2012
Hello uthayakumar and jayathas,
I sure do hope you both make up your fickle mind on what course and direction to take .
You both are not consistent in your words as well as deeds, you both are always confusing everyone with what you say.Either you both are too drunk when you give statements and give another statement when you are sober.
So ,now you have your political wing,your hindraf wing, and what may i ask is your econonic wing, your social wing ,your private wing What the bloody hell are you guys talking about?? especially jayathas in his facebook nonsense.{formally you were talking about wearing different HATs, now you are talking wings. Next you going to talk about different cocks}
Just dont try to screw around with the indians to seek a “good deal” from the highest bidder.
I very strongly believe you both have your own agenda having/taking the indians as your bargaining chips.
If you both are serious about your conviction then TALK STRAIGHT or RESIGN whatever posts you hold in hindraf/hrp or whatever wing and let THOSE with a commitment to the MISSION and VISION of hindraf/hrp.take over and do what is RIGHT not dilly dally.
ARE you guys willing to have a dialogue at the KALAMANDAPAM with right thinking INDIANS.
Then you can know what right thinking indians THINK about you.
For the sake of one and all, dont forfiet the one and only chance we have to get rid of BN .
Im not a young chico you can impress but am in my twlight years.
Seen all, heard all and done all.
Either you WORK with ABU and PR OR SHUT the F$$k up.and for malaysians sake, DONT THINK ABOUT WHATS IN IT FOR YOU PERSONALLY. ITS THE FUTURE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
KOLAVERI KOLAVERI KOLAVERI DA
PN
January 27, 2012
Thanks Mr.Waythamoorthy! Indians must be united to support ABU – only then marginalised Malaysians can be helped with the saved Malaysia!
rajan
January 27, 2012
OOPsss Uthayakumar and jayathas ,
if you want the REAL FEEDBACK on hindraf/hrp,
then enable your commentsbox on your HRP website.
Its very funny that you have disabled it.
Meaning you only want to talk down and not WITH.
Get the true feedback from the people by enabling your comments box.
DARE OR NOT
Malaysianatheart
January 31, 2012
The fact that even the 2 brothers can’t release a coordinated viewpoint should tell us all about the relevance of HINDRAF. HINDRAF has served its purpose – it is no longer the potent force it was simply because the characters involved cannot get their act together. In these circumstances they could be more of a liability than an asset. Harris, you will be well advised to tread very carefully when trying to include the likes of these guys. What HAS HINDRAF achieved since 2007?? Really, come on …. you have confused the poor Indian folk and this has actually driven them back into the arms of MIC etc.
shakuntala
February 1, 2012
Do not decry the Makkal Sakthi call.of HINDRAF….the spirit of Hindraf made up of the poor AND the marginalised., was out first initiative to goad us to become aware of the dire straits of the Malaysian poor. It was Hindraf that infused into us the awakening and the passion to fight for lost causes, it was Hindraf that opened our eyes to the plight of the poor, no matter which poor. But the fact that Indians made up this force does not mean that we , other Malaysians, are divorced from this potent force of human beings crying out for salvation in this country.
On the contrary nearly all Malaysians recognize that it was the poor and battered Indian who first screamed out loud for help and showed a genuine anger at the way he was being inhumanely treated .The call of the poor is such a lonely call………can we shut our ears and turn away?.
ABU has also seen and heard this desperate call for help….and is sincerely making its stand clear, that the poor Indian is also representing ALL poor Malaysians.
Mr. Uthayakumar you need to look at it from the point of view that so many well-meaning ordinary Malaysians, NOT THE POLITICIANS are jumping into the bandwagon to take up this call to cure it collectively.They are supporting an ABU/HINDRAF collective initiative. Aren’t you proud that a group of Indians has been in the forefront to bring succour to all the poor,in this country.Aren’t you proud that one group of Indians is showing to the world that in Malaysia, in prosperous Malaysia, there are other groups of Chinese and Malays who are also living in dire straits.Isn’t this a fact, a truth? Take a broader look the Indian poor is a percentage. How much more advantageous if this percentage of the poor is increased with the poor of the Malays and the Chinese, in order for the INTERNATIONAL WORLD to wake up to the widespread poverty still persisting in this so called rich country? You will still end up a Gandhi, because it is you that started the ball rolling,who opened all our eyes to these injustices, but the time has come for you to be broader in your outlook.
The ABU/HINDRAF forum at Seremban Selatan last Saturday was a clear proof that many Hindraf members are beginning to see the advantage and the sense to band together to take up this very cause that you are so passionately after, to alleviate and put an end to the dire plight of our increasing poor.brothers and sisters. They have taken the first step, which has hopes of becoming a giant step. We were there we could see a glimmer of hope in the whole scene, we could notice the spirit of Makkal Sakthi……
You are still in the lead, Mr. Uthayakumar as the torch-bearer for the poor and the down-trodden. Please also take up the cause for the rest of us who are poor and who need people like you and ABU to stay committed and dedicated in the gallant fight to free us the poor Malaysians and give us also a comfortable life in this multi-resourceful and naturally multi-endowed country.