Media statement dated 31st January, 2013
__________________________
I refer to the recent lift on the ban of Hindraf by the Government vide a letter dated 25th January 2013.
Since the lift of the ban, we found certain irresponsible parties have taken advantage on the situation and have issued statements that run contrary to the principles of Hindraf. Bloggers and cyber troopers have gone on a spree of speculations as Hindraf did not come up with an immediate response to the lift of the ban.
Hindraf wishes to reiterate that its silence is due to the fact that I have been away in the United Kingdom and Europe on urgent matters and it has been the principle of Hindraf to get consensus amongst its Central Executive Committee before responding to any crucial matters such as the lift of the ban and our future directions. However we are disappointed the media and bloggers have jumped on the issue and have made various unfair insinuations.
Hindraf has made its position very clear from the very beginning that its duties are to find permanent solutions to the 55 year old problems plaguing the Indian community. Politicians from both divide of the politics have thus far not come up with any concrete solutions to the problems faced by the Malaysian Indian community but have instead used problems of the poor to gain mileage and further their political ambitions. Mere rhetoric of “Change” and throwing crumbs of millions of Ringgit here and there are not permanent solutions that the lower rung community seek. Hindraf has been working with the poor who have been neglected and their voice silenced. We know their predicament better than anyone else. We will not be dictated as to what is best for them. We know what is best for them.
We wish to warn all those concerned – Anyone who comes on our way to derail our Blueprint- a 5 year palpable plan to bring the poor and marginalised communities into the mainstream national economy would have to live to regret their actions much later. We at Hindraf have nothing to lose for we are convinced that we have to take the community out of the neo slavery condition that they live in. We have fought many battles, and have won and lost and suffered much. There has not been a single Organisation in Malaysia that has gone through what Hindraf faced. All these have made us resolute and focussed to face whatever challenges that may come our way. Nothing can hurt us more as we have endured many challenges before.
An urgent meeting is fixed for the 3rd of February 2013 for the Hindraf CEC to decide on the directions of Hindraf. We are in active negotiations with PKR and the Pakatan Rakyat leaders for almost 4 months though nothing concrete has come out of the discussions. We would however do all within our capacity to find a win win situation. The meeting on the 3rd would also reach a decision and whether to accept the invitation of the Minister in PM Department Dato Nazri Aziz to have a dialogue with the Prime Minister.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chair
Hindraf.
S. Menon
February 2, 2013
Quite frankly, I would like to see an end to political parties based entirely on racial identity. It is high thime they started thinking in terms of MALAYSIANS as a whole. There are poor Malays and Chinese too, who need as much help as the poor Indians do. The ups and downs of Hindraf, the uncertainties of knowing exactly what they want, and who their real leaders are, often remains unclear.
For all that, whether it be Hindraf, MIC, or the average Indian at large, if they have not yet realised that they have been cheated or put on hold by the UMNO leadership, it is high time they did. Playing the ostrich or giving their votes away for some oil, sugar and rice makes beggars of them all.
Amaranathan
February 4, 2013
I too would like to see politics in this country to based on issues rather than race, but reality has to be faced. Every political party, including the “multi-racial” ones, have their main support base consisting of a ethnic group, and these parties usually only contest where they are strongest ( read: majority or large minority their own ethnic group). Hindraf exists because there is a large marginalised Indian group that no one wants to champion or help. Stop paying lip service and actually help these people and Hindraf will cease to exist
Taipan
February 4, 2013
You are dead wrong, my friend! The reality is racial politics came about because of Umno who rule the country for 55 years. This is the only means by which to retain power and ensure it’s political survival in multi-ethnic Malaysia. The Indian is not the only group given the larger stakes of other minorities as well that came under this policy of systematic marginalisation of races under Umno’s rule. Even the Malay themselves are not free from it. The Chinese knew way back then what was coming for them. Their survival does not have to depend on the MCA. Likewise, the Malay can similarly do without Umno.
What have Hindraf really done for the Indians since that ‘wake-up’ call in 2007. Waytha found himself holed up in the UK until recently. You had leaders that went out at each other’s throats, putting on different outfits, speaking from separate platforms, and, worst still, you had some crazy nuts that threatened to burn down building to get their demands across. How are these going to help the Indian community you think? How many more parties do the Indian wants still to represent them? Who had been giving them lip service with all the promises of help to champion their interests for over 50 years? No, I think the Indians should stop placing their hopes too much with all these self-serving opportunists. They should take hold of their own destiny and decide for themselves where they want to go from hereon, for a start.
Wave33
February 5, 2013
I agree on what Taipan and S.Menon has mentioned.
Indians created their downfall by themselves, I repeat Indians themselves which UMNO is only the catalyst to the matter. There are two main factors, let examine.
Education
Everyone knows, if you get a good education, your future would be brighter. That is why UMNO is sending all those half-past-six for overseas education on full scholarship. If you are half-past-six and graduate from overseas, you still have a good future. That is the reason why Chinese is fighting so hard for good education. Chinese main concern is education, they sell their houses and lands for their children education, some even doing vice to help their the children future. If you continue to want handouts and tongkat, Indians are not going to prosper. The most private (semi) school in Malaysia is Chinese. The government has failed the Chinese and Chinese took the matters into their own hand by having private (semi) Chinese school. Now even, the Malays and Indians want to go to Chinese school. The Malays and Indians thought is was easy, they found out that their kids have to do homework till midnight.
Egoistic Indian
Just look at how Samy Vellu carry himself. How many mosquito parties does Indians have? How many NGOs does Indians have? Why Indians need so many bodies when they are a minority population in comparison. Indians are not united. Why? Because those whom made it, is egoistic, everyone wants to be a leader. What better way, is to setup a new party and become a leader. Once an Indian is a leader, he suppress his number two from coming up. Hence, the Indians gets a new MIC President, as it is. Padam muka! MIC is one party that loves sacking it members. How are Indians are going to be united? Indians also has a religion problem, they are divided into Muslim, Hindu and Christians.
As long as Indians do not see eye to eye among themselves, nothing is going to happen. But if Indians see themselves as Anak Bangsa Malaysia, there is hope in the horizon, because rest of Malaysian will walk behind you. We are brothers!
S. Menon
February 4, 2013
Yes, political parties currently have their support bases within ethnic groups but, after nearly sixty years, can you honestly say that MCA is of any use to the Chinese, or the MIC to the Indians? We all know what UMNO does – they only help themselves – but not the Malays at large. It cannot and must not continue this way.
It needs an entirre paradigm shift. We need to get rid of these sectarian parties, get the people to think of themselves as Malaysians first, foremost and always, and demand that the parties we elect follow suit.
The soonet this happens, the better it will be for all of us. The longer we postpone this, the worse it will get. And don’t talk of Hindraf worrying about large marginalised Indian groups – there are many equally desperate Malays and Chinese too – I shall not even mention the poor tribal people in the interior of Sarawak! Don’t they matter at all?
Amaranathan
February 5, 2013
Great, S.Menon and Taipan, I used to have such idealism as you have, and I still root for such a situation where a person or persons are assisted by the Govt based on the merits of his/her/their needs and not on their ethnicity/ religion/ gender, etc. However, the situation on the ground is somewhat different. An example I would like to quote is this ( please correct me if I am wrong): When PR ruled Perak for about a year, state land was allotted to Malay villages, Chinese new villages and Orang Asli settlements. There joke was if there were orang-utans, they to would have been given something. And yet, Indian communities who had requested for land for Tamil schools, existing temples and such were denied or delayed
Amaranathan
February 5, 2013
Rejoinder to the last post: That, and few other examples ( KBP, the insensitive attitudes by local councils towards Hindus), left a bitter taste for many Indians – no doubt, nowhere nearly as terrible as BN, but still smarts of double standards and yes, racsism, from those who proclaim to be colour-blind. This after 80% of the Indian electorate placed their hopes in the opposition in the last GE. There is a general feeling amongst many poor Indians ( as opposed to their wealthier, educated brethren) that neither side cares for their welfare ( where such help is more forth-coming for the Malays and other indegenous communities) and are only care for their votes.. Such a people would be fertile breeding ground for groups like Hindraf
shakuntala
February 2, 2013
Does Waythamoorthy think that his reference to “lower rung community” would mean only the marginalized Indian or the multi-racial impoverished community., as a whole.
He should be aware that his so called resolve to help only the Indian marginalized could perhaps be an advantage to whatever plan BN may have to trap Hindraf, with reference to the so called ‘invitation’ by Nazri Aziz…..for a dialogue with the PM.
Do hope HIndraf treads carefully, “a burnt child should dread the fire”, Can’t understand how active negotiations with PR has still not produced anything concrete, in Hindraf’s favour, after four months.
Larry D
February 2, 2013
“throwing crumbs of millions of Ringgit here and there”
Errr…millions of ringgit HERE and THERE might mean hundreds of millions are involved, which aren’t “crumbs.” Unless the Indian poor are used to such money – don’t think many of us are. Still, the “neo-slavery conditions” of any ethnic group (s) are due not so much to intentional government discrimination than to an acceptance (by nearly all political parties except Dr Jeyakumar’s socialist party) of the failed neo-liberalism propounded by the American neo-cons (with the unlamented departed Reagan as their former figurehead). Of course, corruption only makes it worse for all communities, but it’s curious that in this country, economic systems are seldom discussed. Few seem to realize the connections between economic systems and the social ills we face.
Reniv yong
February 2, 2013
Don’t you freaking sell out Waytha Moorty. We all know the plights of the Indian community things will change talking to the PM is not going to solve the problem only a change in the government will.
Donplaypuks
February 2, 2013
Hindraf of coures thinks it’s being canny in keeping its options open vis-a-vis BUMNO/BN and Pakatan.
But it’s poor strategy.
Would anyone negotiate terms with a continuing government of thieves, rapists, looters, plunderers, racists and bigots? With anyone go to bed with a government led by Hitler, Stalin or Mao or the Devil even if they agreed to implementing your manifesto? And therein lies the catch – how could you believe that a government of thieves will deliver its “promise”.? Remember how Mahathir royally screwed Su Qui after they voted for him at the GE?
So, Hindraf should throw its support in with Pakatan and work hard and pray for the best. That’s all the guarantees they can ask for!
Dpp
we are all of 1 Race, the HUman Race
Aruna
February 2, 2013
Dear Mr. Waythamoorthy,
There is no deniel that Hindraf was one of the catalyst that broke BN’s back in the 2008 general election. The Indian community in particular were aroused to stand against the mighty UMNO regime by none other than Hindraf. But sadly after the release of the Hindraf leaders from ISA detention the movement has fragmented itself. We have Thenendran who sold the Indian community to enrich himself and his family. It is the same Indian community that ganged behind this culprit and supported fuedal UMNO and Najib. Then comes Uthayakumar, your elder brother. He formed the Human Rights Party without understanding that human rights should be for everyone irrespective of race, religion, colour, creed or background. On the contrary, Utahya embarked of human rights for only the Indian community. Then we earnestly waited for your return from self exile. We thought you would initiate immediate plans to unify the Indian community. Apart from some media responses and small gatherings there is nothing coming forth from the Hindraf leadership. This is not the time to bargain what you want from political parties. It is time to show the BN regime what HINDRAF stood for. Najib will have you on his breakfast plate should you meet him. He will say to you to vote BN and after that will look into the problems of the Indian community. It would be foolish to think that Najib and his BN does not know what is happening to the community. So don’t be fooled by Najib. If Hindraf were to stay neutral, its demise is not too far away. If Hindraf supports BN we will conclude that you fell for the $$$$ that BN flashed. Better to join forces with the underdogs..Pakatan Rakyat and fight the common opponent which is UMNO dominated BN. If you fail to heed to this humble advise, kiss goodbye to Hindraf’s struggle and dream. I hope you will understand this humble message brother! Thank you and best wishes.
vallipuram
February 2, 2013
OM NAMASHIVAYA ! VETRI VEL VEERA VEL !
WAYTHA and UTHya Take note take heart.
Dont wait for the fat one to sing.
If you consider BN, then be prepared to be treated like lap dogs mca,mic,ppp and others on the same time zone.Its in their genes and dna.Can you really trust them??
You may be given ‘datuk’ like tani indran and remain silent like tani indran like an exhausted prostitute.
I think it best you talk to PR and fast for you dont have time on your side.Just 70 odd days.
Being over demanding could make it difficult on both sides.
Be practical.
Be very aware of how “they” broke up hindraf till most were bought off.
As long as “Ettapans” genes are in indian blood , im sure no headway can be achieved.
Dont take too long
.
Malaysianatheart
February 2, 2013
Dear Moorthy, A few years ago, I spoke with you over the phone when you were in the London, (on the wanted list locally!) and put you in touch with a couple of people that may or may not have been of help to you. In the years since, you have worked hard towards your stated objectives. However, it seems that your hard work has so far amounted to naught. Nothing, absolutely nothing, has been done for the betterment of the community that you champion; which in effect means that you have been barking up the wrong tree.
You might want to rethink your strategy. You need a fresh approach. Yes, you might be gaining a little support in the form of lip service by the many international organizations you have taken your troubles to. But none of them can ride into battle with you. All they can do is nod and smile and extend gratuitous praises for your efforts and provide handouts.
Should you and /or the CEC accept Nazri’s offer of a meeting, you would have effectively sold out the very same community you champion. Nazri is probably the most racist member of UMNO (second only to perhaps Ibrahim Ali) who has very often shown his utter distaste for the very people you champion. He will not negotiate anything with you. In fact, if he could he would have you blasted with C4 and bury you. The PM’s hands are tied. He cannot be seen to be sucking up to you for fear of looking weak with the ultra muslims who he thinks are crucial to him.
You will get no joy from Putrajaya until there has first been a change of government. I am not saying that PR will give you what you want. They probably won’t for the same reasons UMNO won’t.. But that change of government will galvanize both sides to rethink the voting power of the community that you represent. By all accounts, the Indian community will be the ‘King Makers’ in at least 12 constituencies. That can be the difference between retaining Putrajaya or conceding it. For both sides to take you seriously – you need to use this advantage to effect change. If you fail to do this, the people you champion will continue to be in the doldrums for the foreseeable future.
Good Luck mate!
Taipan
February 3, 2013
The Chinese knew what that is coming for them since the 70’s. The average Indian on the whole are still very much confused with exactly what they really want even still today. It’s neither here or there. It is still unclear about what Hindraf’s true intentions really are with all that have taken place within and outside the party. But going to town looking for the highest bidder is enough to raise some concerns on the initiative and direction taken by Hindraf to date. It is more like a poker game with the chips high.
S. Menon
February 3, 2013
Waytha Moorthy states: “We are in active negotiations with PKR and the Pakatan Rakyat leaders for almost 4 months though nothing concrete has come out of the discussions. We would however do all within our capacity to find a win win situation.”
Why is it taking so long to resolve the issues? Expecting or asking too much, perhaps? One has to cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth. The country is in a financial mess and there are multitudinous problems to be be resolved. Expecting to have the Indian woes addressed as a matter of greater priority is like asking for another version of the NEP, one for the Indians, this time! How daft can you get?
And who exactly amongst your leaders will facilitate the usage of funds to mitigate such problems? And just how credible are these leaders? The greatest problem, since the Fifties, has been that most, if not all, Indian political leaders have been self-serving opportunists. Why has the Indian community not tilted against them so far, forced them to become accountable. Why are they still being unquestioningly voted back into office, time after time, often in return for small short-term gifts, and longer-term promises that have yet to materialise, even after sixty years?
He adds: “The meeting on the 3rd would also reach a decision and whether to accept the invitation of the Minister in PM Department Dato Nazri Aziz to have a dialogue with the Prime Minister.”
Good luck to you, and the poor Indians who look to you for help. UMNO is in dire need of Indian support and will promise the moon, the earth and the stars to buy your support. But, seriously, can you expect your hopes to be fulfilled by more long-term promises, by more mirages appearing far out in the desert sands?
bigjoe99
February 3, 2013
For PR, Hindraf is a long term problem that is a mess in the short-term. But its not likely they will not derail PR because UMNO/BN don’t have a long term nor a real short-term answer to them, just a cynical short-term bribery. Hindraf knows that PR is their long term answer and UMNO/BN only good for short term ransom..
On the other hand, over in Sabah, the local Sabah leaders are a short-term self-destructive. They don’t really care for a long term solution like Hindraf, they are long on greedy and short on substance.
TG
February 3, 2013
In my opinion, the issues facing the Indian community is not my different from others, fundamentally. I has to do with education. All communities suffered from the weakness and setback of our education system. It is designed to impoverish us all, so that we have to depend on the power-that-be for handouts. The education system taught us not to think critically and rationalize, but to be obedient BLINDLY – not to challenge or speak-up to ‘higher authorities”. And we are taught that to do so means “RESPECT”.
Instead of equipping us with the knowledge and know-how, the education system has being made into a BN propaganda media, and turning one race against another. This strategy worked so well and it kept UMNO, MCA and MIC in power and give them unfettered power to impoverish us, while looting the nation’s coffer.
So, I believe, the permanent solution to the Indian community, in fact, all the communities, including the Orang Asli Communities is to overhaul the education system,
And to do that, BN has to be kicked out at all cost!! With them around, there won’t be any change besides cosmetically.
Wave33
February 3, 2013
Since day one, Hindraf is irrelevent to Malaysian at large, I repeat, Malaysian.
Hindraf is fishing for the highest bidder, they would sell their votes to the highest bidder. Hindraf has very little concern on Malaysia as the whole. As long as Hindraf demand (not Malaysian) is taken care of, rest of Malaysian is secondary.
After sitting on the fence for so long waiting to be bribe, UMNO begin to strategies their move, because it seem they are not with Pakatan but they are with the money. UMNO has the money to buy them.
First move, is to legalise Hindraf, with this Pakatan is in overdrive, they do not have the money to out bid UMNO. Pakatan could make policies that help Malaysian at large, which they already have mentioned in various ceramahs and manifestos but the racist Hindraf is not able to accept those policies that benefits Malaysian.
Hindraf only want policies that benefits Indian only. This is the thinking of a racist group and soon enough we will have Ketuanan Keling to ponder with.
That would be the tricky part for UMNO to maneuver it around Ketuanan Melayu. Let’s watch and see.
Malaysianatheart
February 4, 2013
Good point! A thorny issue that Wathyamoorthy and gang MUST deal with.
shakuntala
February 5, 2013
My goodness Mr. Waythamoorty, how honestly concerned some of us must be, and that is only a number of Malaysians in Haris’s blog, in helping to guide you to take the right road. So many other persons are anxiously watching the direction you are about to take, or rather plunge into.ie joining UMNO/BN or not ….
Please do not be mis-lead into taking the road that Nazri Aziz is leading you into. One couldn’t be more blunt. May your good sense prevail.
Passion alone is not enough,for your quest to salvage the Indian poor, no matter how motivated, but lacking in foresight,…your brother Uthayakumar who is equally intense in his quest to help the impoverished Indian, is blind to the fact that there are also the same poor amongst the rest of us.. is stubbornly holding on to the false assumption that he can go it alone. While we credit him,applaud his guts, we cannot but loathe his lack of good sense, that in Malaysia working together must and has become a necessity, as we are multi-racial, and one nation, one Rakyat.
Surely your UK experience, in forced exile should convince you, to accept that coming to an amicable understanding with PR quickly, is a far better step to take than agreeing to be a slave and a lap dog to UMNO/BN, who caused you and Uthayakumar shame and indignity., for no other reason than that you were championing the rights of those without voice, and the means. Mr. Waythamoorthy…. be among the best who win by conviction..
Mr.Waythamoorthy…….you as a human rights lawyer, who had been robbed of your status and pride as an individual too,should have fodder enough, to choose, with all resolve, Anything else but UMNO/Asalkan bukan UMNO
…
katasayang
February 7, 2013
A few months back, when Moorthy started a petition to end Article 153, I wrote the following blog appealing to the conscience of all, hoping to gather a few to urge BN government and Pakatan leaders to initiate talk on this in the name of Wasatiyah, in light of the fact that none of the Pakatan component leaders publicly talk about ending of Article 153.
https://katasayang.wordpress.com/category/kata-sayang-kristian/article-153-a-dream-called-wasatiyah/
I understand that Moorthy still wants to work on ending Article 153, and propose an equitable nation based on needs. So far, neither parties have expressed any willingness to even discuss this matter. So, as independents such as ABU movement, should we honestly claim that reviewing Article 153 is not an issue at all, or should we only initiate ABP (Asal Bukan Pakatan) when Pakatan would fail to entertain the process to appeal Article 153.
Given that, do you want a Moorthy that would forgo his integrity which desires to fight against Article 153, or a Moorthy that would lie to simply gain access to the Power Corridor?
Wave33
February 8, 2013
As for now, Article 153 should remain but UMNO should not.
katasayang, are you trying to instigate something?
Please elaborate your stand.
katasayang
February 10, 2013
@Wave33. Unsure of the actual reason, my previous reply was never approved. Given that, I apologize in my inability to elaborate. As it stands, given that Article 153 should remain in your opinion, and that Moorthy had initiated a petition to end Article 153, the difference between you and Moorthy in ways to pursue to equality for all is different. Hope that is understandable.