As reported in Malaysiakini today, Hindraf’s Waythamoorthy has taken umbrage and, in my view, rightly so, to the public disclosure of what must surely have been private and confidential discussions between both Hindraf and Pakatan Rakyat leaders on both the matter of the indorsement of the latter’s blue print as well as the possibility of both working together in the coming GE.
I will avoid doing the same here.
I have been desperately trying to meet with Waytha to have a face – to – face discussion on several pressing issues, not least being Hindraf giving due consideration to meeting with Najib, a position patently at odds with the stated stance of ABU that we will not negotiate with robbers and thieves.
Yesterday, admittedly frustrated that no meeting appeared to be in sight and the GE looming, I sent Waytha the following sms :
“Is hindraf still with abu? Will you join us on the ground to deliver killer blows to umno/bn? I really need to know where you stand on this”
I do not propose to make disclosure here of the sms sent in response or the sms’ that were exchanged and leave it to Waytha to decide if he wishes to disclose the same. I have no objections whatsoever if he chooses to do so.
His immediate response to the sms above and my second sms to ask if I should assume that Hindraf regards itself as out of ABU left me with the distinct impression that such was the case.
If I have erred, no doubt Waytha will set me straight.
Until that happens, ABU will carry on the fight to bury UMNO/BN, with or without Hindraf by our side.
Redhuan D. Oon
February 15, 2013
Strange. I like to see how Hindraf is compatible with Umno or within BN while MIC is still there. Malays are mainly represented by one party but for a much smaller ethnic group there are quite a number already in BN.
Manivannan Letchumanan
February 15, 2013
I would prefer if you made it without Hindraf, from my point of view it would be greatly detrimental to the ways and ideologies of ABU, Hindraf is like a good child gone bad, they started off with a bang, which I am sure even they would not have dreamed of. Kudos to Hindraf for the mammoth gathering some years back voicing out the precarious situations of Malaysians of Indian origin.
As time went on they became more self conscious and went separate ways each trying to outdo the other and thus disseminated Hindraf.
Abu is for MALAYSIANS period. what would happen if Hindraf joined ABU and continuously and relentlessly only talked about Indian issues then it would make ABU look like a lopsided organization.
I am a Malaysian of Indian Origin, I would like an organization to represent all Malaysians not just Indians. I know Malaysian Indians have been treated rather harshly by the present government of the day but that does not mean we should only focus on one particular race.
ABU is for every Malaysian and hopefully it stays that way.
kamalampang
February 16, 2013
Indeed you are right Sir! Well written. Hope all Msians have the same feelings towards realization of a truly bangsa Msia, while at the same time not ignoring the needs and sensitivity of each races.
Lluuung
February 15, 2013
JiaYu ABU, JiaYu HARIS!
We can make it , with or without hindraf
Just give our BEST, ALWAYS !!!
Foo
February 15, 2013
Obviously some people have extremely big ego.
Jong
February 19, 2013
Ego is one thing, but do they have the people’s support? Anyway when you have ‘friends’ like them, you really don’t need enemies!
bigjoe99
February 15, 2013
From a personal experience in running organisations, when you have a leader who has a good agenda but the wrong way of doing things, the answer is really to fire that leader and find the next guy who is more agreeable way of doing things.
Its not possible to fire Hindraf leaders but chances are they won’t sabotage you if you transparent in what you are doing. You do have to give way if they can offer better alternatives. Hence PR need to line up its Indian leaders firmly and quickly in each constituencies especially those Hindraf is likely to contest. Chances are there will only be one or two of them that has a modicum of chance of winning, they will just drop out in the rest.
May Chee Chook Ying
February 15, 2013
Having seen first-hand the plight of the marginalized during my time with the SSVP, I don’t see how Hindraf can be credible anymore if they become bedfellows with BN. BN should be anathema to Hindraf!
rajan
February 15, 2013
Indian rights is not about fighting for indian gangsters,car repossesers,thugs,robbers ,thieves,bullies etc and that is what all those people are doing in the name of indian welfare.
I’ve yet to hear of groups fighting for places in universites,employment in civil services,housing and a whole lot of problems faced by the indians in malaysia.
Mic hijacks all finacial aids and redistributes it to its cronies and family members.
Hindraf must make a simple stand as to what it really wants or expects from whoever .
In my humble opinion, hindraf has no traction whatsoever with ‘middle and upper’ class meaning the educated indians and so is with mic and the other indian c’s.Most of these segment are for PR with or without hindraf.
I somehow dont have any ‘feelings’ for hindraf because i believe they have something up their sleeve that is not known even to their supporters.
I too believe that it needs a lot of support to dislodge bn from PJaya .
Demanding for seats not in proportion to its effort is not fair.
Do they have the infrastruture/people power for contesting in an election or are they hoping to ride on the machinary of pr to hopefully win a seat. Try luck is not the option.
Abu can only act as a catalyst but not a force by itself.
Let PR do the job and we support it .No two ways about it.
Taipan
February 15, 2013
Hindraf wants the whole cake and eat it too. You can’t go on a fishing trip and expect both sides of the political divide to come crawling to you on their knees. That would be likened to political blackmail. And it was for this reason that the Indians have long been led by their noses and used as sacrificial lambs to ultimately serve only the interests of the few at the expense of the rest.
ranenbhattacharyya
February 16, 2013
Great job Hindraf for taking Malaysia to this stage of people power. So sorry you plan to jump ship. Well goodbye, word of advise on screwing up with PM Najib and wife Rosmah Mansor. Watch you back ! Yeah! Careful like, watch your back ! The nation is littered with broken promises and lies by Great Leader. It is a fact that when people depart from God Almighty and His jurisdiction, fall they will. Sometimes great is that fall. Watch that they do not drag you along with that fall from grace/office/height. Sayonara.
ICE
February 16, 2013
Hindraf offered olive branch to Pakatan but Pakatan ignored. Hindraf was with ABU and still wanted to be with ABU but ABU did not recognize Hindraf’s blue prints instead wants Hindraf to be their foot soldiers in their move to unseat BN. Yes, we have a common goal to unseat BN but at the expense of Hindraf without any firm affirmative action in their fight to bring the marginalized minority is lame. If considering Hindraf fight for the marginalized Indians is racist than this statement itself does not bode well for the formation of Malaysia for all; EQUAL. In the event Hindraf can not get along with ABU and/or Pakatan, this does not mean it has joining hands with BN BUT it is still going to the battle all alone, Hindraf may not win big or win at all, but it will still make history. Dare engage with us, do it, better late than newer.
Dont know who you are but please check your facts.
Did I not say I urgently sought meeting?
For what?
A round of gin rummy?
The Whisperer
February 17, 2013
As far as I am concerned, Hindraf became a piece of history the moment Najib took over from Pak Lah. It was visible during the Bukit Gantang by-election.
When I blogged about it then, one of their supporters came and asked me to get off from my high horse.
Let me have my last say here. Wey Waytha! Time for you to dislodge yourself from the Hindraf high horse. Flogging a dead horse wont get you anywhere.
Brian
February 16, 2013
Oh dear, they are at it again. Why are some Indians so easily bought by BN. All the BN have to throw is muruku powder and saris. When are they going to learn that Najib is off the power in BN and whatever he promises is empty air. Please Hindraf you started so well and earned the respect of the other races it’s not too late to make a change. Please be with ABU for the benefit of all Indians. After PR takes over the tenancy of PJ you can make your demands and negotiate like adults. Stop behaving like spoilt children.
Kannan nair
February 16, 2013
Well said Brian but will Hindraf do the right thing? ABU’S agenda is for all Malaysians and i just can’t understand why Hindraf leaders can’t see the BIG picture. They should just contribute to change and than discuss on their needs and not the other way around.
mmc
February 16, 2013
if waytha is prepared to hawk themselves to the highest bidder, then lets cut loose the chase. No point in jumping to bed with such people coz you dont know when they will shift their allegiance and stab your back. after 55 years of being marginalised, hindraf must be daydreaming that UMNO will change their divisive policies for the benefit of the Indians. UMNO will do anything for the votes in the coming election. True intent will be revealed once the election is over. Remember the Kerala Mamak who called the Chinese educationist Communist post-election after fooling them with promises of roses pre-election. Leopards change their spots?
YNWA
February 16, 2013
ICE,
Olive branch to Pakatan? Were they at war?
Numerous meetings held with them and you say ignored? Queer that.
Hindraf seems fond of issuing ultimatums, it appears. Either our way or no way seems to be its way! No room for accommodation on its a part (no pun intended).
Battle all alone? Make history? I think many have lost their deposits before. No history in the making there. Perhaps make history as being something that once used to be. Real danger of that.
Dare engage with you? Yes, get your facts right. Did Haris issue a challenge or did he seek cooperation? Humility seems to be something quite foreign here. Arrogance seems to have blurred the facility of comprehension.
Don
February 16, 2013
If it were up to me, I would allow Hindraf, Waythamoorthy, his brother Uthyakumar go with Najib and BN. Then, when they realise they have been hoodwinked by Najib and BN, it would be easier to deal with them. Some people have prefer to learn the hard way.
I tend to think that Waythamoorthy had to negotiate and make some concessions before he was allowed into the country. Musa Hassan said they, mainly Waythamoorthy, had links with the Tamil Tigers. If one goes back and reads all the statements the Govt made about Waythamoorthy, and he made about the Govt, one will be surprised that Najib even wants to meet Waythamoorthy.
I am of the opinion that Najib/BN would have already promised Waythamoorthy a great deal of money, and will confer upon him a Datukship, give him projects and make him a millionaire, just as Najib did with Datuk R.S. Thanenthiran.
All WAythamoorthy has to do is this: prevent Hindraf from joining forces with Pakatan. Hindraf doesn’t even have to support BN, all Waythamoorthy has to do is this: advice the indians NOT to support Pakatan.
Everyone knows that when one doesn’t want a relationship to work, all one has to do is make unreasonable demands, and then blame the other party for not being able to meet those demands, and then do what one originally planned, in Hindraf’s case, negotiate with BN on the side.
All those that think that this is not possible, please think again. I do not apologise for my opinions, but would ask everyone to think, and consider if it is possible that Waythamoorthy is derailing Hindraf’s and Pakatan’s understanding, given his demands, a dozen MP and State seats.
If what FMT reported is true, i.e., “Six meetings were held involving top guns from both Pakatan and Hindraf such as Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and P Waythamoorthy. There were also an additional 15 informal meetings since last November”, and if these meetings are still insufficient to come to some sort of mutual agreement, then another another 100 meetings will still not solve anything.
In my opinion, Waythamoorthy and his brother Uthayakumar will only decide what is good for them, not the indian community as a whole.
Waythamoorthy is not working, how does he survive? From well wishers? Nah, think again.
Uthayakumar is not his usual self any longer, neither is Waythamoorthy, Uthaya’s time in Taiping will have taught him not to be hero, as far as BN is concerned, it is best to look after themselves.
In my mind, the brothers’ have sold out the indian rights to the BN.
Recent history is filled with such people, Datuk Nalakaruppan, Datuk R.S. Thanenthiran, Datuk Denison Jayasooria, Chandra Muzaffar, the ones’ from Perak, enabling BN to take over the state, the Pakatan MP’s that have become “independent”, but have sided with the BN, and condemned Pakatan, etc.
The DAP’s Boo Cheng Hau is already spliting Pakatan in Johore, more Pakatan people will follow, in days to come. BN has already got to them.
In my mind, even if Pakatan wins the GE13, it will not be by a few MP’s, and it will not be a problem for BN to buy these MP’s over, and then form the Govt again. Money to buy these MP’s, is not a problem for BN. This is why BN is still so arrogant, and cocky.
That is the nature of Malaysian politics.
Malaysianatheart
February 16, 2013
Yo Brian, good call! But you know, unfortunately Waytha and gang just don’t have the political savvy to take Hindraf to the next level. When you are surrounded by less than desirable half wits its really difficult to see the wood for the trees. Sigh! A sad end to a very promising NGO that inspired a nation to stand up to the ganagsters that run it!
Ming
February 17, 2013
Encik Haris,
As an observer who has gone through the mill, it is my humble opinion that Hindraf leadership is devoid of honorable men. No need to elaborate. It is your misfortune that RPK had given your one too many low blows before you woke up from the trance. Please do no suffer another RPK in this Hindraf thrash.
Taipan
February 18, 2013
Quite right there, Ming! We all know the hidden hands behind RPK. The same goes with the carpetbeggar and the mattress carrier. Put them together you would have the missing links to the jigsaw puzzle before you knew it. There is no free lunch here that I know of.
shakuntala
February 17, 2013
Did we miss seeing the signs when Waythamoorthy was suddenly given a reprieve from exile and he came back as an accepted Malaysian?
Hindraf split once, from then on it has been adrift, from having been a force of strong willed persons. Can’t see how Hindraf can work the wonders it thinks it can, with a possible partnership with BN. BN’s Malay agenda versus Hindraf’s Indian agenda, sounds too incompatible. ..Each day the seemingly grave seriousness of the Indian plight, which at times is incessantly touted, takes a step back with loss of precious time..
Hindraf, snap back to your former glory, re-gain your pride and importance and work together with ABU, to free Malaysia, from the shackles of repression and backwardness. ABU has a strong appeal especially among middle-class young Malaysians who are also setting their sights on PR as the next government.
francis bondumar
February 17, 2013
I belive Hindraf will not support Umno/BN after what they did to the indians for the past 50 over years but the sad part is Pakatan too did not keep it’s promise aftre GE 12.
Kannan nair
February 18, 2013
Hindraf should fully support ABU and team up with PR without making any demands, They should realize that ABU and PR are for all Malaysians,irrespective of race,religion and beliefs.The scenario today is an inclusive society and not a divided society so please rethink your strategy,or go back to square one.
Lluuung
February 18, 2013
Can’t agree more.
Hindraf should not try to separate n colour d Indians, instead they should encourage d Indians to think MALAYSIAN especially with regards to their rights; EQUAL with each n every Malaysian, NO MORE, NO LESS; just like any other Anak Bangsa Malaysia.
Don
February 18, 2013
If the leaders of Hundraf pass an instruction to the indians to vote for the BN, how many indians do you think will do as instructed? Well, considering that the leaders of Hindraf have lost their credibility, and most indians do not trust the brothers Waythamoorthy and Uthayakumar any longer, I dare say, not many indians would heed their call.
Besides, imagine what the brothers will seem like, if they told all indians to support BN, and supposing the indians do support the BN, and the BN, as we all know they would, lets the indians down again. Then, the brothers will have to both run away to the UK again, not running away from the Govt, but from the indians themselves, who will just want to spit on their faces.
I suggest that Pakatan leaders just ignore the Hindraf leaders, and let them go and support the BN, get their Datukships, projects, etc. And when BN lets the indian community down, then, and only then, will they see reality. Some people, just don’t listen, they need to learn the hard way.
I just want to ask Waythamoorthy just how does he survive, feed his family, put a roof over their heads, etc? Live on the donation of well wishers I guess, just like how he was living in the UK. A man living on charity, wanting to do charity for his community? Naaaah, he is just living of his image created by him and his minute number of supporters.
In public these leaders want Pakatan to implement the 6 point proposal, including removing the affirmative action, giving the indians the same treatment as the malays, etc. They want Pakatan to do, in a few months, what the BN couldn’t do in 55 years. Silly really.
If Pakatan agree to remove the NEP, have 30% chinese, 30% indians, 30% malays and others 10% in Govt service, Universities, etc. etc. etc., just imagine their mentality. So the new Pakatan Govt, will have to change the constitution to accommodate Hindraf’s demands. Even more silly.
However in private, they want to contest in 7 Parliamentary and 10 state seats, mind you, they don’t the public to know what they are really negotiating about. So when the negotiations fail, they want the public to think that Pakatan hasn’t agreed to implement their proposals, but in actual fact, that is not true. And when the the truth is leaked, Waythamoorthy is upset that the truth is out.
Is this the kind of leaders Hindraf want to trust their future with?
Fed up
February 18, 2013
Don,
Don’t be so sure that the Indians won’t listen to Hindraf. After all, if they can be bought with a sari, a pack of rice and what nots, they can be gullible enough to believe BN for the umpteenth time. All I can say is, serves them right if they want to be duped, and next time, if my Indian friends complain about their lot, I’ll tell them to shut up and go jump into the river!
Amaranathan
February 18, 2013
Hey, no need for racial-profiling, these very poor Indians would take whatever from whoever and try to survive, because they are that desparate, and know politicians for the liars they are, and making ends meet means more to them than ABU or the fight against corruption . In any case, Chinese were voting mostly BN from 74′ to 2004′ becos of “cari makan mah” or the May 13 bogeyman, and East Malaysians had replaced the British masters with Semenanjung ones. Only the Malays formed any viable opposition during this period. Having said all that, Hindraf should go it alone if they fail to deal with PR, but going back to BN would destroy whatever credibility they have
Peter
February 18, 2013
I am a Malaysian Indian and am proud to be one. Of course, I am a Malaysian first and I love this country. To me Hindraf is self centred and has no direction. It does not have a stand on its own and is power crazy. I rather ABU and PR just forget about Hindraf and concentrate about winning the GE13 without BN.
I dont trust anyone in Hindraf and even if they make a change and want to join PR and stay with ABU, there is a great possibility that they will jump ship to BN after the GE where there is money and power.
The very fact that they are willing to talk to both sides shows what Hindraf is all about. Undecided and no real objectives. Hindraf was supposed to be non political but now they are talking about contesting in the GE. I for one, will never vote for Hindraf as I dont trust them at all.
So as an Indian, if Hindraf is really fighting for the rights of the Indians, please disband and join either PR or BN. The choice is yours.
It is no more about race politics but being Malaysian.
so if you still want to be race based, please join BN and MIC nad watch yourself being wiped out from the political scene eventually
Don
February 18, 2013
It is just like what Waythamoorthy promised the indians, i.e. Hindraf is asking the British Govt several trillion Dollars for all the Malaysian indians, and if the British Govt can’t pay, then Waythamoorthy and Uthayakumar are going to take over Great Britain, re-name it Great Hindraf, and then, all Malaysian indians can migrate to the UK, and call it their new home.
And now they don’t even dare mention about that Trillion Dollar claim on the British Govt.
To me, the Hindraf leaders are just free loaders, and nothing else, victimising these naive indians, which is worse than what the BN has been doing.
taikohtai
February 18, 2013
Its a given that Hindaft plies their trade along racist line ie poor and marginalised Indians. Its fabric is not much different from BN with most of their components parties doing the same. But Pakatan’s fabric is an all embracing Malaysian feature. No discriminating along races. If Hindaft’s narrow agenda is accepted by Pakatan, it will stick out like a sore thumb. It will stand out like a mole on Mona Lisa. A black ugly mole.
bigjoe99
February 18, 2013
If Anwar and PR take a blunt attitude like Hindraf, they would tell them – THIS is MALAYsia, NOT HINDRAFsia – like it or not, if its TOO DIFFICULT to do, THEY got to live with it, not everyone else.
KTWong87
February 18, 2013
Sometimes I get bashed for what some say is being starry eyed and unrealistic. Perhaps there is some truth in that, but I’d say that there is good in the Hindraf leadership. There has to be something which gave Uthaya the strength to endure the ISA detention in 2007 for example.
That said, Hindraf had, from its start, been a narrow-minded and often divisive group. I have never been able to find a good readon why they claim to represent the Indians but named themselves the HINDU Rights Action Force. Don’t Indians of other religions matter?
And their brand of politics since has bordered on mercenary, cxlose to prostituting themselves to whichever side can offer them the best price. Some of the splinter groups have been especially despicable, one moment hammering BN, the next kowtow pulak.
Their tactics have not been exactly believeable. As comments posted regarding their “Pakatan may lose 25 seats without Hindraf’s support” threat put it, if they are so confident about the 25 seats, why not talk to MIC/BN? And “ask the same demands (7 parliamentary & 10 state seats) from BN, & see what you get”.
Waythamoorthy seemed, for a time, to have been the more mature of the two brothers, keeping Uthaya in check somewhat. But the current games Hindraf plays only highlights the basic truth that it has far to go to show that it is fighting seriously and wisely for the interests of our Indian brethren.
MalaysianinNewYork
February 21, 2013
I can ditto your last para, to that when we have the usual detractors with I know it all but the inability to stretch their imagination beyond cyber blogging type when they were never concerned with the truth for the rest but how they assume the truth within themselves for their own sphere. At least you get one good comment when reality is not a politically orchestral illusion albeit a persistence one for the basic truth when we ready, able and willing to accept it.Thank GOD we have HINDRAF.
shakuntala
February 18, 2013
Once agreement is reached, as to the reasonableness of the Hindraf demands, PR is a far better choice for Waythamoorthy…..at least we have a cross section of faces in PR depicting the true identity of a multi-racial Malaysia.
Do hope still, “hope lies eternal in the human breast” that a reasoned and agreeable twinning/agreement is achieved between Hindraf and PR.
Stressing that the Indian is the only down-trodden will not even get Waythamoorthy what he wants from a BN, hell bent on keeping the races at odds with each other, so that power will be the guiding direction and not a principled way forward.
So God bless you Waythamoorthy and guide you along a broader perspective.A future to benefit all Malaysians. Dare you. to take the “untravelled” path to bring the Indian to the fore, together with other Malaysians.Good luck, from all of us.
shakuntala
February 18, 2013
We don’t even seem to know the nature of the impasse causing the delay in reaching an amicable agreement, for PR and Hindraf to work together….all some of us know is that there is a 5-year blue print relating to the upliftment of the long neglected poor Indian …..put forward by Hindraf.
It stands to reason that a five year blue print will take time to sort out…….but surely at least some of the points may prove feasible to both sides. Why should there be a deadlock kind of delay.???
Isn’t there some kind of progress at least, judging from the amount of time these negotiations have been going on for.
Do we all understand the implications…….that a best solution be found, for both PR and Hindraf..What can possibly be causing so much uncertainty, while BN stalks like an hungry, starved, mean lion to swallow its gullible prey.
PR and Hindraf just look at it from the point of what reasonable benefits you can BOTH reap out of agreeing to the best possible solution for the future,TOGETHER.
Kannan nair
February 19, 2013
I agree with your comments Shakuntala and it should dawn on Hindraf that the only way forward for them is with PR. They Hindraf should get into the PR train immediately for there will be no trains after this.
S. Menon
February 19, 2013
The thing that most puzzles me about Hindraf are the several DEMANDS it has made on behalf of two million Indians in Malaysia: 4 trillion Pounds Sterling from the British Government and the 18-point demand presented to the Malaysian Prime Minister on 27th August 2007.
I do cavil at the word “demand”. During any confrontation, surely it is the stronger party that makes demands of the weaker one. Did the Indians in Malaysia really have the electoral numbers and strengths in 2007 to hold the BN Government to ransom? If memory serves me right, Badawi won a landslide victory in the 2004 general election, taking 198 out of 220 parliamentary seats, winning control of the Terengganu from PAS and almost capturing Kelantan as well. And the Opposition was virtually annihilated!
Then there is the ambiguity about its name. HINDRAF stands for Hindu Rights Action Force. As KTWong87 had so properly pointed out earlier, does it stand for ALL Hindus, for all Indians including Christians and Muslims, or just for those of Tamil descent? Were Jaffna Tamils also included in this catch-all description?
It begs the question – don’t the impoverished Chinese or Malays matter, not to mention the many tribal groups in Sabah and Sarawak?
Their initial 18-point demand is quite an amazing document. It would be too tedious to dwell on each and every one of them, nor on the very similar but more recent 6-point blueprint, a slightly condensed version of the first one.
Let’s look at a few of these 18-point DEMANDS at random, and see where it takes us. Item 8 DEMANDS that 20% of all Government top most level jobs, i.e. Secretary Generals, Directors, Managers, District Officers, Foreign and Diplomatic and civil service positions, be reserved for Indians for the next 15 years.
It says “reserved for Indians” but does it really mean Indians, or just Tamils? And are there really enough qualified and competent Tamils capable of taking up all these posts? Exactly how many of them are there right now, in the lower echelons of Government service, who are able to take up such positions? And why 20%, when the Indian population level lies at 7 to 8%? Are we, then, to expect a similar demand from the Chinese population?
Then, there is Item 10, on the indiscriminate unconstitutional and unlawful demolition of Hindu temples, crematoriums and burial sites. Among the five headings under this category, it DEMANDS compensation at RM10 Million per temple be paid by the Malaysian Government for the 15,000 Hindu temples demolished up to date over the last 52 years. In other words, a payment totaling RM10 Million x 15,000 = RM150,000,000,000 which equals to RM150,000 million, or RM150 billion!
Is this what it all about? Money? And who exactly will administer this money? Most of us recall the several billions that went to help the Indians/Tamils poor over the past fifty years or so, routed through the MIC. How can we ever forget what 66,000 MAIKA shareholders had to suffer? Well, the top honchos in MIC have all become extremely rich, thank you very much, but the poor Indians/Tamils remain exceedingly poor. In fact, many of them are even poorer today than they were fifty years ago!
Not surprisingly, these have not been found acceptable by the BN Government, nor by the British Government. I would be most surprised if the Opposition parties were to subscribe to these DEMANDS either. While most of these demands are of considerable merit, it would be appear to be a case of asking for too much too soon, and at the wrong time.
shakuntala
February 19, 2013
Many thanks Kannan nair….at the end of the day, the Hindraf 5-year Blueprint is worth a read, just to be aware of the extent of the poverty and the backwardness of the Indian….in a country which is supposed to be happily multi-racial under a selective BN government.
Ganesan who researched material for the blueprint has done a good job. At least we know now that Indian poverty is realistic and will grow as a problem for any government worth its weight, if not tackled with a spirit of general well being of the population as a whole.
salleh junida
February 21, 2013
Pls pass breaking news around…… BNM not telling real picture about Malaysia’s hutang…..
http://english.cpiasia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2483&catid=219&Itemid=189
katasayang
February 24, 2013
This Chinese Christian Malaysian ABU supporter from afar is mourning for current generation of Pakatan leaders that is unwilling to work on real changes to setup a concrete plan to end constitutional abuse in Article 153 which violates the very spirit and suggestion of Reid Commission, i.e. a true communal constitutional equality. It is a confusing time for Harris and many of us being the ABU supporters. If Pakatan had not stood firm on Article 153, BN would one day be the one which would stand on working on ending of Article 153. Such is the shame for this generation of Pakatan leaders.
vendetta
February 24, 2013
You join PR you become another zaid ibrahim, you join BN you become another samy velu, i guess if it comes to that crossroads, waytha/hindraf please join bn, thnx,
wandererAUS
February 28, 2013
Indians population in Malaysia is merely 8% and you have Hindraf demanding for 50% of the pie… Indians this and Indians that…for a change, why not just recognize yourself, “Aku Malaysian, kita semua Malaysians”!…let us speak for all Malaysians!
These Indian champion pretenders, don’t be too greedy, you will get choked!! Don’t crow on your laurel for a once flash in the pan.
kwc
February 28, 2013
An article written by my friend “Moving away from race-based political parties”
I recently wrote an article entitled, ‘Why we should change the government’. I gave reasons why a change of government is good and necessary in a normal, practicing democracy. Today, I would like to discuss why we need to move away from race-based parties in favour of ideological based parties.
I did not say do away with race-based parties because in a functioning democracy, all political parties have an opportunity to “advertise” themselves and “sell” their manifestos to the public. It is the public who then decides whether the party is worth voting for based on their political concept and ideology. Always remember that in a democracy, the people are the boss. Political parties ignore this at their own peril. But not so in Malaysia because BN have been in power for too long and have forgotten about humility.
The good doctor during his tenure has amended our constitution more than 600 times! For a democratic country, I reckoned it’s a world record. Again, I digress. Anyway, ideological parties are parties which subscribe to a particular set of beliefs, ethics, doctrines with a broad view of social, economic, and political matters. This is not an exhaustive definition but it gives an idea of what we are discussing.
In the present milieu, we have two coalitions namely Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and other lesser parties. BN is made up of peninsula based parties such as Umno, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PPP together with other parties from Sabah and Sarawak such as PBS, LDP, PBB, SUPP and so on.
Umno has a big presence in Sabah but not in Sarawak. The older parties that were formed before the country’s independence such as Umno, MCA and MIC were mono-racial parties, in other words, they exist to serve their respective races. The British when granting independence to Malaya accepted these three parties as the representatives for the three major races in the country.
It can be said that for the political situation at that time, this arrangement seems fine but it does not mean that this was meant to be a permanent situation. Unfortunately, after 55 years of independence, our minds are so shackled by the utterly lack of freedom, we are unable or unwilling to move away from these race based parties.
As for PR which consists of PKR, DAP and PAS, PKR is supposed to be the most multi-racial, whilst DAP is trying to be multi-racial, whereas PAS is almost 100% Malay-centric and Islamic. PAS is the only political party in the country whose raison d’etre is to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state.
Thus, it seems a tad uncomfortable for me when these three parties come together to form an alliance with such disparate ideology especially DAP and PAS. The former is definitely advocating a secular nation, with its Malaysian Malaysia slogan whilst the latter’s intention has already been mentioned above.
PKR is the closest to an ideologically based party but unfortunately the de facto head and deputy president respectively were former Umno leaders hence their political persuasion are highly suspect. I can see why Haris Ibrahim and RPK were mooting the idea of a “third force”. Unfortunately this did not take root and we are left with the current dilemma between BN and PR.
For this coming General Election, there is no time to form new parties to challenge the present coalitions thus we have no viable alternatives as yet. Anyhow, I have stated in my previous article that my personal conviction is to change the present government so that there is a chance for renewal and revitalization. Inept leaders should be purged and useless parties sent into the wilderness.
Why should the rakyat be given a choice of non-racial, non-religious based parties as alternatives? The reason is very clear because race and religion should have no place in politics. I acknowledge that this is not easy to change given the fact we were brought up indoctrinated by race and religion. Even when filling out government forms, we have to indicate our racial origins and religious beliefs.
If I were to set up a party called Democratic Party of Malaysia (DPM) and the party for example is said to subscribe to liberalism, the party constitution might have the following broad aims and goals:
1 Subscribing to the free market economy (or laissez-faire);
2 Freedom of expression, free speech, free press;
3 Government is to serve the people and not to be paternalistic;
Then, prior to an election, the party might come out with an election pledge or commonly known as manifesto to persuade voters to vote for the party. Such pledges could include:
1 To remove corruption, cronyism and nepotism;
2 To place the Election Commission and Attorney General under parliament’s purview;
3 To set up an independent Police Watchdog to oversee the police force also under a parliamentary committee;
4 To set up a Race Relations Panel in parliament;
5 To set up an independent panel to look into the present parliamentary /state constituencies and the need to overhaul the entire delineation exercise to ensure the “one man one vote” concept is upheld;
6 To make Malaysia a race blind, religion blind and gender blind country where no one regardless of race, religion or gender can be unfairly discriminated.
7 To re-examine all lop-sided government contracts and ensure all government tenders are open and transparent.
This is just an example of how a political party’s ideologies should be. Anyone who feels these ideologies are in line with their thinking will want to join such a party. Capable and intelligent thinking people all have a place in it and it would be race, religion and gender free.
Once such parties are established, one should no longer view another through racial lenses and religious eyes. One’s racial and religious backgrounds have no bearing on his/her political beliefs. They are focused on issues and governance based on their aforesaid constitution and election pledges. If the party does well, they will continue to stay in power, if they don’t or reneged on their election pledges, they will be removed in the next elections.
I hope to see in my lifetime just such a paradigm shift taking place and Malaysians are only known as Malaysians and not Malay, Chinese or Indian or Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu or Christian. I may be an idealist but I am also optimistic the younger generation will come to understand that our strength is in our unity and diversity. No longer will we allow people like Ibrahim Ali, Hassan Ali, Chua Soi Lek and Ridhuan Tee to have a place in our midst for they are dividers and fear mongers. They serve not to unite but to tear apart the fabric of our nation.
The long journey towards this objective starts with this election when the people show their might by changing the government and then truly will we have our second “Merdeka”!
riki
March 9, 2013
Hindraf is about Hindus and NOT “Indians”. Who are the “Indians”? They are really the majority Tamils who do not wish to be known by that name. We know their status in Hinduism does not allow them to teach that religion and gives them only limited rights to practice it in the real Hindu temples. That does not apply to the caste Tamils, including those known as “Ceylon Tamils”.
Of course all this is old-fashioned and undemocratic nonsense. But Hindus like Samy Vellu’s son (in MIC) insist that the Hindu religion must be respected. If so…then what?
What about the “other Indians” like the Telugus, Gujeratis, and North Indians who are all caste Hindus? Does Hindraf have any of them in its ranks? Yes, it does not matter as they are a tiny, tiny minority that MIC has seldom allowed in its ranks in the last 40 years.
I agree that ABU is about democracy and equal rights. It must fight on as that is something praiseworthy with or without others. We cannot go back to some having certain rights and other other rights. That is no way to build a nation.
rajraman666
March 13, 2013
What did PR actually did for Indian other than using their politician of Indian Origin to fight for justice for BLUE I/C, fight for police brutality ( that’s) also with a big hoo and haah. I never get sufficient details that Indians are appointed in any state run company run by PR.In Perak most of they Chinese New Village get their land title and the Malay too get the land title.What’s the Indian get? Only sweet talk of unite together for Pakatan or UMNO benefits.
What’s more displease me is most educated Indian publish comment against Indian just because they somehow manage to have a good job and they look down at another Indian who are not much educated and can be swing by most Political Trader promise.The poor Indian neither way are look down by every Political Trader and pro PR cyber trooper.They just want their vote.
rajraman666. History need to be change like “Martin Luther KIng “as racist since he fight for minority groups of his Origin.”Nelson Mandela” also racist.So be it ….Hindraf is racist.
rajraman666. The Indians are so much divided by clan and religion.If anyone wish a black skin Indian Happy Depavali they will quickly say i am Christian or i am Muslim with bumi putera origin.There are one famous liar rule this country for 22 years and he his Infidels to his own race.He his the one wipe out most Indians from civil servant.
rajraman666. They are to many infidels Indians including in Politics.F*ck the spider.
Bless you Indians.
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
March 13, 2013
rajraman666,
I do not pretend that Malaysians of different ethnicities have always worked well together in the past.
Whose fault is it? I don’t really know and I don’t really care in the new Malaysia which is to come.
I have no doubt that there are some Malaysians who will want to continue focusing on the race divisions over the coming years. Personally, I cannot see the benefits of promoting the advancement of only one racial segment amongst.Malaysians.
Nobody is saying that making ALL Malaysians equal is going to be easy but it will never happen unless we start somewhere, like right here and right now.
bigjoe99
March 13, 2013
I just read Waytha 2nd day hunger strike write up. Please tell Waytha, he may not law and socially aware BUT he knows nothing of Micro Economics math.. His math is OVER-SiMPLISTIC..He think just because he he has two side in a hotly contested game that he can come in and demand whatever price he wants and even worst he demands more from PR than from BN..
The logic really is that he can extract maximum price ONLY as far as one side can afford more. The truth is, by logic, PR can afford the least because it is a rainbow coalition that must meet many other people demand. The probelm with UMNO/BN is that they are greedy and corrupt and hence can afford only as much as they are not as greedy and corrupt. PR can afford to dole out more than UMNO/BN only because they are less corrupt and greedy – and they are limited both both demands of their other parties in PR as well as the amount UMNO/BN is corruption and greed can be fixed which is NOT unlimited.
Imagine two side bidding for a valuable piece of property that will mean great riches – will they pay ANY price to get THAT property? No. Because they are not going to bid so high a price they go broke, they are not even going to bid a price that they can’t get a fair return on their capital. If one price will go broke if they don’t buy the property (BN) then will they pay any price? Still no..Because if they will pay only so far as they don’t go broke. But this is not that case because not everyone in UMNO/BN is going to go broke if they don’t pay a high price, only a small number – the most corrupt..
Can you please let the guy know – he does not know his Micro Economics Math..
rajraman666
March 13, 2013
and a small NGO call as ABU members also no respect for Indians from the comments i read lately.
Whats else the Master of Political trader like UMNO and PKR,DAP and PAS.They don’t give 2 hoods about Indians.
rajraman666. Pakatan might win but watch out for PAS.They are non performer on running any state.They more interested in Heaven and everything else will be Haram. Their members more interested to twist for political mileage.Pas sell GOD name and UMNO follows with they are more Islam than PAS.
Anwar – great man with empty promised.I believed the Speaker of this blog had tasted Anwar manipulation.
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
March 14, 2013
rajraman666,
I can’t really speak for others on this blog.
I reject your assertion that ABU members have no respect for Indians. I, myself, have many friends who are citizens of India (I assume those are the “Indians” you mean)
Of cos, if you had meant that ABU members have no respect for Malaysians of Indian origin, I would still reject your view.
Personally, I don’t see Malaysians as Indians, Malays, Chinese or what-have-you, I see Malaysians as Malaysians.
You sound like a person who is out to create trouble between Malaysians of various ethnicities by concentrating on a specific racial group and than driving a wedge between that racial group and other Malaysians.
Personally, I have no problems if you wish to stand up and champion the causes of a group of Malaysians who have suffered great hardship, disenfranchisement and discrimination. There are many such clusters everywhere throughout Malaysia.
As soon as you include a racial element into it, beware.
I am one Malaysian who intends to move beyond the use of racist propaganda which have plagued Malaysians all these years. You, on the other hand, seem to want to continue using that same old trick to divide Malaysians.
rajraman666
March 14, 2013
Another Anak Malaysia,
Hi, there,it;s good that you think all Msian as equal.I don’t have any intention to create trouble between races.
The Political Trader on both site are making use of Indians.I just came to remind what’s happening at the other side of real world of working life and income of Indian Origin.
rajraman.If you think i am one of those trouble maker, i can’t change your views as i believe strongly the minority group including the native are subject to abuse.If the Malay and Chinese can champion their race, i don’t see why Indian cannot demand a bit of the economic pie.Like i said the world History need to been change and terms Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther KIng as racist because they fight for their believed.
The continue of race politics is there in Malaysia and will continue until some Political Trader have the same good views as you – AAM. I also belong to my mother land call Malaysia.
raqjraman666.As strong NGO like ABU should stand for election – then i believe all Malaysian will equal.The Speaker of this Blog can’t be the “GOD FATHER” for Politician as NGO. He must be in the system and elected Parliament Member to make it.Maybe a good soul like you who might not tainted by race base politic should be in Politic 2.