Hindu protest broken up in Malaysia
In the run up to elections any gathering of more than four people requires a police permit [Reuters]
Police in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur have used tear gas and chemical-laced water to break up an anti-government protest by ethnic Indians demanding racial equality.
On Saturday about 300 men, women and children were dispersed by about 100 policemen, including riot police with helmets and shields.
"Police were too rough" said S Manikavasagam, a spokesman for the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), the ethnic indian group that organised the protest.
"They used their power," he said.
Since Friday about 60 people, including two leaders of Hindraf who organised the protest, have been detained in a police crackdown, said N Surendran, a lawyer and Hindraf member.
Protesters were carrying roses to symbolise a peaceful demand for justice.
The Malaysian government is concerned about street protests in the run up to early general elections on March 8 and any gathering of more than four people requires a police permit.
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Malaysian prime minister, is widely expected to retain power at the polls with his ruling party coalition, but with a reduced majority.
Many Indians accuse his multi-racial coalition, which is dominated by ethnic Malays, of racial discrimination.
Police crackdown
Hinraf first announced the protest in January to press the government to release five of its leaders who have been jailed under tough internal security laws.
The men were detained without trial after more 10,000 ethnic Indians marched in the capital last November to complain about a lack of job and education opportunities.
The protesters on Saturday planned to gather outside parliament to hand a protest note and roses to Abdullah, but they were halted by police a short distance away.
"I want the five to be released," Parvathy Raman, a 30-year-old accounts executive from Kuala Lumpur, said.
"I want the government to hear our problems. Everyone knows there is discrimination, but the government denies it."
Hindraf said the red roses symbolised love and peace, while the yellow roses symbolised the group's demand for justice and the release of the jailed men.
Protesters defied police orders to disperse, but scattered when sprayed with tear gas and water laced with chemicals.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Crisis in Hindraf? NO SUCH THING
A leadership crisis claimed to have erupted in the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) with its top brass hurling accusations at each other while the movement's chairperson-in-exile expresses surprise.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
“Makkal Sakthi” attempted meeting with Penang CM February 12, 2008
For those who could not understand what is going on in the above videos, well, approximately 300 Makkal Sakthi’s’ gathered at Komtar this morning in an attempt to meet Penang CM Koh Tsu Koon. They were not alone, as the current infamous “HINDRAF” child Vwaishnavi Waythamoorthy was together with them to hand over a memorandum and a bunch of roses to the CM.
The memo urges the Penang CM to intervene for the sake of ensuring the safety of crowd, as well as children, in which they would be gathering on 16th February 2008 to hand over “Valentine’s Day” roses to the Prime Minister and to seek justice for the five heroes detained at Kamunting.
To their despair, the CM did not showed up. Instead, one of his representatives came and acknowledged the documents.
Credit goes to mveeras for uploading the videos to Youtube
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
AN OPEN LETTER TO HINDRAF SUPPORTERS & ALL MALAYSIANS
I invite you to join my only 5 year daughter on Feb 16th who would brave the might of Police with their tear gas and chemical laced water cannons to prevent her and thousands against reaching Parliament House to deliver their messages of Peace and Justice.
Many may wonder why Roses to a PM who doesn’t understand or pretend not to understand the plight of Malaysian Indians. Many emailed me seeking answers whether we have softened our demands.
No. Under no circumstances would we soften our demand and approach. We have remained silent for far too long and if we don’t insist on our demands now then we never would in the future.
Pre and post 25/11 has seen various baseless accusations against HINDRAF and its leaders. Prior to that hundreds of our letters, appeals, memorandums ect to the PM had gone to deaf ears. When we “moved” the Indian community, suddenly the Government woke up not knowing how to tackle the problem of the new “Peaceful Indian uprising” against their might. They had all the while taken the Indian community for granted. That the Indian community are a bunch that can be pleased with “sweeteners” especially during elections. They had taken for granted that there wouldn’t be credible and capable leaders who would genuinely fight for them and their cause. I can only thank the Indian community for having the confidence on HINDRAF.
The Government had to cover up their bungle for the mess they created on 25/11. Hence the accusations of racists, fundamentalists and terrorists. They wanted to create a situation where the Malays would hate HINDRAF and rally behind them. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the Government’s strategy to use HINDRAF and 25/11 to unite the already divided Malay community between them, Keadilan and PAS so that the Malays would rally their support behind UMNO. Fear of HINDU fundamentalism was created amongst Malays. It is sad that after 50 years the Government and UMNO still relies on race politics for their survival.
So on Feb 16th we proceed with our Roses. Valentine is associated with the Western Christian culture but accepted universally as a day to express LOVE. It is a time when the whole world seeks for ROSES to reach out their loved ones and send messages of Love.
I don’t ask you to love the PM personally but I ask you to love the highest position entrusted upon him by the Yang Dipertuan Agong to lead the country. Most of us hated Mahathir for his 22 years “regime” but we hold no grudges against him today. Likewise would be no reason holding grudges against the PM.
Let us give him the RED & YELLOW ROSES to symbolize/ remind him and assert that we are a peace loving community who come to him in all sincerity with our 18 demands that were submitted in July 2007 (Red Roses) and that we demand Justice for the 5 detained leaders (Yellow Roses). There are many ways of expressing quest and thirst for our basic fundamental rights and ROSES are a special way to convey those messages from a community who have been oppressed suppressed and marginalized for 50 years.
The whole world saw what happened on 25/11. Let the world again see and appreciate the peaceful struggle of these permanently colonized community. Believe me many in the western country are waiting anxiously to observe the Governments’ reaction on 16/02.
I have known and read many regimes brought down by Power of Roses. But of course it was a failure at Tianaman Square China. I remember how the soldiers shot down innocent people with ROSES who championed and peacefully sought their rights. And so I can never promise you that all will be well on 16/02. Let us all Pray that our leaders would have the wisdom and courage to accept that after 50 years the Indian Community are prepared to “rise” for their rights because MALAYSIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THEIR MOTHERLAND. By accepting those Roses the PM would prove to the entire country that he is a listening “father” of the nation.
I seek forgiveness of the Almighty for placing my only 5-year daughter on the forefront to face the possibility of the first round of tear gas and chemical laced water. Like any other child Vwaishhnnavi is a symbol of LOVE & AFFECTION. She is my only worldly treasure. I neither posses not property nor wealth. And I dedicate my only “treasure” for the cause of this suppressed community. I embrace the brave mother of this child for her determination, courage and commitment shown towards the struggle.
Vwaishhnnavi and many others of her age would brave the message of purity, truth, sincerity, and unselfishness for the sake of the future Indian generation.
May I invite all Malaysians irrespective of colour and creed to join us in this symbolic gesture to seek Justice for a marginalized community neglected, unattended forgotten for 50 years. Let us all declare Friday the 15th Feb a National Prayer Day for the Almighty to grand wisdom to leaders of our country to allow our future generation to express their message of Peace & Justice.
Let us all pray that the Prime Minister who claims that he has big ears to listen to grouses of all communities allow this child any many others including us to whisper the message of LOVE AND JUSTICE through the ROSES.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Currently in London
Please watch this video clip and forward to all Malaysians
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=s9IZ9twmGXc
Many may wonder why Roses to a PM who doesn’t understand or pretend not to understand the plight of Malaysian Indians. Many emailed me seeking answers whether we have softened our demands.
No. Under no circumstances would we soften our demand and approach. We have remained silent for far too long and if we don’t insist on our demands now then we never would in the future.
Pre and post 25/11 has seen various baseless accusations against HINDRAF and its leaders. Prior to that hundreds of our letters, appeals, memorandums ect to the PM had gone to deaf ears. When we “moved” the Indian community, suddenly the Government woke up not knowing how to tackle the problem of the new “Peaceful Indian uprising” against their might. They had all the while taken the Indian community for granted. That the Indian community are a bunch that can be pleased with “sweeteners” especially during elections. They had taken for granted that there wouldn’t be credible and capable leaders who would genuinely fight for them and their cause. I can only thank the Indian community for having the confidence on HINDRAF.
The Government had to cover up their bungle for the mess they created on 25/11. Hence the accusations of racists, fundamentalists and terrorists. They wanted to create a situation where the Malays would hate HINDRAF and rally behind them. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the Government’s strategy to use HINDRAF and 25/11 to unite the already divided Malay community between them, Keadilan and PAS so that the Malays would rally their support behind UMNO. Fear of HINDU fundamentalism was created amongst Malays. It is sad that after 50 years the Government and UMNO still relies on race politics for their survival.
So on Feb 16th we proceed with our Roses. Valentine is associated with the Western Christian culture but accepted universally as a day to express LOVE. It is a time when the whole world seeks for ROSES to reach out their loved ones and send messages of Love.
I don’t ask you to love the PM personally but I ask you to love the highest position entrusted upon him by the Yang Dipertuan Agong to lead the country. Most of us hated Mahathir for his 22 years “regime” but we hold no grudges against him today. Likewise would be no reason holding grudges against the PM.
Let us give him the RED & YELLOW ROSES to symbolize/ remind him and assert that we are a peace loving community who come to him in all sincerity with our 18 demands that were submitted in July 2007 (Red Roses) and that we demand Justice for the 5 detained leaders (Yellow Roses). There are many ways of expressing quest and thirst for our basic fundamental rights and ROSES are a special way to convey those messages from a community who have been oppressed suppressed and marginalized for 50 years.
The whole world saw what happened on 25/11. Let the world again see and appreciate the peaceful struggle of these permanently colonized community. Believe me many in the western country are waiting anxiously to observe the Governments’ reaction on 16/02.
I have known and read many regimes brought down by Power of Roses. But of course it was a failure at Tianaman Square China. I remember how the soldiers shot down innocent people with ROSES who championed and peacefully sought their rights. And so I can never promise you that all will be well on 16/02. Let us all Pray that our leaders would have the wisdom and courage to accept that after 50 years the Indian Community are prepared to “rise” for their rights because MALAYSIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THEIR MOTHERLAND. By accepting those Roses the PM would prove to the entire country that he is a listening “father” of the nation.
I seek forgiveness of the Almighty for placing my only 5-year daughter on the forefront to face the possibility of the first round of tear gas and chemical laced water. Like any other child Vwaishhnnavi is a symbol of LOVE & AFFECTION. She is my only worldly treasure. I neither posses not property nor wealth. And I dedicate my only “treasure” for the cause of this suppressed community. I embrace the brave mother of this child for her determination, courage and commitment shown towards the struggle.
Vwaishhnnavi and many others of her age would brave the message of purity, truth, sincerity, and unselfishness for the sake of the future Indian generation.
May I invite all Malaysians irrespective of colour and creed to join us in this symbolic gesture to seek Justice for a marginalized community neglected, unattended forgotten for 50 years. Let us all declare Friday the 15th Feb a National Prayer Day for the Almighty to grand wisdom to leaders of our country to allow our future generation to express their message of Peace & Justice.
Let us all pray that the Prime Minister who claims that he has big ears to listen to grouses of all communities allow this child any many others including us to whisper the message of LOVE AND JUSTICE through the ROSES.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Currently in London
Please watch this video clip and forward to all Malaysians
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=s9IZ9twmGXc
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Malaysia: Repression fails to stop anti-price-hike campaign
MALAYSIA
Malaysia: Repression fails to stop anti-price-hike campaign
Tony Iltis
8 February 2008
Leaders of the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) have vowed to defy court rulings banning them from participating in public assemblies. The court orders were placed on 35 opposition party and grassroots activists who were charged with illegal assembly following a January 26 protest against price hikes imposed by the government-owned oil corporation, Petronas.
The demonstration, outside the company’s iconic headquarters — the Petronas Twin Towers — had been banned by the government, however 1500 people defied police violence to attend. Sixty people, including journalists, were detained.
PSM secretary general S. Arutchelvan was charged with defying a court order banning him and other opposition leaders from being within two kilometres of the Twin Towers.
While entrenched communalism, police and judicial repression and bureaucratic restrictions on democracy mean that the Barisan Nasional (BN) — which has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957 — is unlikely to be seriously threatened in this years’ elections which are due this year, anti-government protests drawing tens of thousands in November showed the real extent of discontent.
More than 130 people were charged in the crackdown that followed these protests, and leaders of the Hindu community rights group Hindraf were detained under the colonial-era Internal Security Act.
At the root of the discontent is the reduction of living standards resulting from successive BN governments adhering to the economic “development” models provided by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other institutions of First World financial power.
Anti-people policies
These policies — which have included privatising or corporatising water, electricity, garbage collection, health, education and transport providers — have given Malaysia the second-highest income disparity in the Asia-Pacific after Papua New Guinea.
Petronas has become a focus of anti-neoliberal campaigning because fuel price hikes (to boost the profits of the corporation’s unaccountable stakeholders) have a flow-on inflationary effect, pricing many essential commodities out of the reach of ordinary people. The January 26 protest was organised by the Coalition Against Inflation (PROTES), which was formed in 2006 by opposition parties and grassroots organisations.
On January 26, two columns of protesters attempted to march on the Petronas Twin Towers but were prevented by riot police using tear gas and water cannon. One of these columns, mobilised by the PSM and the Movement of Oppressed People (JERIT), marched from the local railway station. The other column, which assembled at a local mosque, was mobilised by the Islamic party PAS.
Despite their different ideologies, the PSM and PAS were able to agree on “a minimum program on this issue because the issues are class based and not religious based”, Arutchevan explained in a January 31 article posted on the site of socialist e-journal Links (
Also invloved in PROTES is the People’s Justice Party (PKR), led by former deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim, who became a focus of opposition in 1997 after his sacking and imprisonment by then-PM Mahatir Mohamed. The PKR has attracted a number of civil society activists.
The 60 people arrested at the rally were detained for two days. Vigils otside the jails where they were held and a global campaign in their support helped ensure that they were either granted bail or unconditionally released.
Defying repression
PROTES is planning another rally on February 23, which the charged PSM leaders will participate in in defiance of their bail conditions, vowing, in a January 30 press release, to “continue to challenge this obtuse ruling and defy any ruling or court order which goes against the fundamental liberties of the people. We cannot remain silent and allow kangaroo courts to interpret … justice and curtail our freedom.”
When the government sets an election date, the PSM plans to run candidates for three seats in the Perak state parliament and in one federal electorate. Because of restrictive “Registration of Societies” laws, however, the candidates will not be able to run under the PSM banner. Instead, the PSM candidates will run on the PKR ticket.
The PSM has appealed to other opposition parties to move away from the communalist politics of ethnic and religious identity that have kept the BN in power for 50 years.
The seats where the PSM candidates will be running are in places where the party has been involved in long-term grassroots campaigns, particularly among plantation workers. Some of thse campaigns have won victories.
For example, on January 15, workers at the Brooklands Estate won the right to own their homes on the plantation after a 13-year-long struggle with the plantation’s owners, the multinational Lion Group. During this campaign, a number of workers and PSM activists, including Arutchelvan, were arrested and charged.
From: International News, Green Left Weekly issue #739 13 February 2008.
Malaysia: Repression fails to stop anti-price-hike campaign
Tony Iltis
8 February 2008
Leaders of the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) have vowed to defy court rulings banning them from participating in public assemblies. The court orders were placed on 35 opposition party and grassroots activists who were charged with illegal assembly following a January 26 protest against price hikes imposed by the government-owned oil corporation, Petronas.
The demonstration, outside the company’s iconic headquarters — the Petronas Twin Towers — had been banned by the government, however 1500 people defied police violence to attend. Sixty people, including journalists, were detained.
PSM secretary general S. Arutchelvan was charged with defying a court order banning him and other opposition leaders from being within two kilometres of the Twin Towers.
While entrenched communalism, police and judicial repression and bureaucratic restrictions on democracy mean that the Barisan Nasional (BN) — which has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957 — is unlikely to be seriously threatened in this years’ elections which are due this year, anti-government protests drawing tens of thousands in November showed the real extent of discontent.
More than 130 people were charged in the crackdown that followed these protests, and leaders of the Hindu community rights group Hindraf were detained under the colonial-era Internal Security Act.
At the root of the discontent is the reduction of living standards resulting from successive BN governments adhering to the economic “development” models provided by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other institutions of First World financial power.
Anti-people policies
These policies — which have included privatising or corporatising water, electricity, garbage collection, health, education and transport providers — have given Malaysia the second-highest income disparity in the Asia-Pacific after Papua New Guinea.
Petronas has become a focus of anti-neoliberal campaigning because fuel price hikes (to boost the profits of the corporation’s unaccountable stakeholders) have a flow-on inflationary effect, pricing many essential commodities out of the reach of ordinary people. The January 26 protest was organised by the Coalition Against Inflation (PROTES), which was formed in 2006 by opposition parties and grassroots organisations.
On January 26, two columns of protesters attempted to march on the Petronas Twin Towers but were prevented by riot police using tear gas and water cannon. One of these columns, mobilised by the PSM and the Movement of Oppressed People (JERIT), marched from the local railway station. The other column, which assembled at a local mosque, was mobilised by the Islamic party PAS.
Despite their different ideologies, the PSM and PAS were able to agree on “a minimum program on this issue because the issues are class based and not religious based”, Arutchevan explained in a January 31 article posted on the site of socialist e-journal Links (
Also invloved in PROTES is the People’s Justice Party (PKR), led by former deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim, who became a focus of opposition in 1997 after his sacking and imprisonment by then-PM Mahatir Mohamed. The PKR has attracted a number of civil society activists.
The 60 people arrested at the rally were detained for two days. Vigils otside the jails where they were held and a global campaign in their support helped ensure that they were either granted bail or unconditionally released.
Defying repression
PROTES is planning another rally on February 23, which the charged PSM leaders will participate in in defiance of their bail conditions, vowing, in a January 30 press release, to “continue to challenge this obtuse ruling and defy any ruling or court order which goes against the fundamental liberties of the people. We cannot remain silent and allow kangaroo courts to interpret … justice and curtail our freedom.”
When the government sets an election date, the PSM plans to run candidates for three seats in the Perak state parliament and in one federal electorate. Because of restrictive “Registration of Societies” laws, however, the candidates will not be able to run under the PSM banner. Instead, the PSM candidates will run on the PKR ticket.
The PSM has appealed to other opposition parties to move away from the communalist politics of ethnic and religious identity that have kept the BN in power for 50 years.
The seats where the PSM candidates will be running are in places where the party has been involved in long-term grassroots campaigns, particularly among plantation workers. Some of thse campaigns have won victories.
For example, on January 15, workers at the Brooklands Estate won the right to own their homes on the plantation after a 13-year-long struggle with the plantation’s owners, the multinational Lion Group. During this campaign, a number of workers and PSM activists, including Arutchelvan, were arrested and charged.
From: International News, Green Left Weekly issue #739 13 February 2008.
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