Another day of international shame for Malaysia – the firing of tear gas, chemically-laced water cannon and use of excessive force by the police against peaceful demonstrators and children during today’s Hindraf rose campaign in Kuala Lumpur .
Over 200 people have been arrested, reportedly including children, with allegations of manhandling by police.
Why was it necessary for the crude display of police force against peaceful Malaysians and children who wanted to use the Valentine Day to present roses to the Prime Minister at the Parliament grounds and to appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of the five Hindraf leaders unjustifiably detained in Kamunting Detention Centre under the Internal Security Act?
Why couldn’t the Police show a humane and sensitive face demonstrating its respect for human rights by allowing the peaceful Hindraf rose campaign to be conducted without incident?
If the Police could be so high-handed, tough and insensitive for human rights when Parliament has just been dissolved for the conduct of the 12th general election, I dare not think what the Police would do after polling day on March 8 if the Barisan Nasional wins another huge parliamentary majority.
The Royal Police Commission of Inquiry which was set up by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi four years ago when he first took office recommended that respect for human rights should be one of the three core functions of the Malaysian Police to achieve world-class status – together with the objective to keep crime low as well as to eradicate corruption in the police force.
It is clear from the Police crackdown on Valentine Day and the Hindraf rose campaign that the Royal Police Commission Report and its 125 recommendations for police reform had completely fallen on deaf years.
Abdullah, who is also the Internal Security Minister, and the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan, should publicly apologise for the excessive use of police force against the Hindraf rose campaign and utter disregard of the Royal Police Commission recommendation that the police should respect human rights of Malaysians.
#1 by tidaknama on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 8:39 am
Check out the difference in how the Police handles KJ’s disruptive protest and the Hindraf Rose protest. Really sickening to see how biased they are!
http://docfiles.blogspot.com/2008/02/spot-difference.html
#2 by DarkHorse on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 8:43 am
Indians demonstrating were heard declaring their ‘love’ for Abdullah Badawi (?). I’m confused.
http://gmurali.com/what-the-world-say-on-hindraf-rose-rally-plus-unseen-photos/
#3 by DarkHorse on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 8:45 am
I’m even more confused what I read here:
“The PM is Malaysian Indian’s enemy! Now I realized, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi don’t deserve rose, he deserve ’s h i t’ from us. We though Mahatma Gandhi way is the best,but…”
http://gmurali.com
#4 by just n free on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 9:04 am
If the Police could be so high-handed, tough and insensitive for human rights when Parliament has just been dissolved for the conduct of the 12th general election, I dare not think what the Police would do after polling day on March 8 if the Barisan Nasional wins another huge parliamentary majority..
Well said, Mr Lim
After March 8, if BN wins again with A BIG MAJORITY – how are we to live in peace and freedom.
So Daring before the GE, what after –
RELA arresting people for looking at them,
police beating the daylights out of us for speaking our minds,
judges handing out pre-arranged judgments by influential people, like Lingam,
Opposition Politicians ISA-ed, as before.
Therefore let us vote wisely.
#5 by Tickler on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 9:45 am
Malaysian PM Warns Muslims Against Being Ignorant, Narrow-Minded. Proceeds to Condone Suicide Bombings..
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/16/nation/20352931&sec=nation
#6 by I Malaysian on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 10:59 am
Come to think of it, I BELIEVE there is a real conspiracy and secret agenda going on in UMNO. Lets think logically. What and why the need for an upper- hand in issues involving HINDRAF now when election is about to take place. Common sense will say this is a wrong move at wrong time. They tried to win Indians by bribing here and there but it did not seem to work. After this incident yesterday, Abdullah lashed out at the demonstrators calling them extremists who are planning to disrupt the election on 8.3.08. Can one smell something there? My prediction is that the UMNO will GO to Malays in rural areas; instill fear in them calling the race to be united in order to protect Malay rights, Islam and Language failing which extremists like Indians and followed with Chinese with a help of foreigners US and UK will once again take control of Malay land. The poor rural Malays who lack exposure and truth will be swayed by this opportunist UMNO to vote them in to gain control once again. This is DANGER.
MY FELLOW FRIENDS, DO YOU SEE THE DANGER NOW? AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO KEEP OUR MALAY FRIENDS UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY AN EXPLOITATION INITIATED BY BARISAN. I also hope YB Lim will consider a press statement warning the BN from indulging from this cheap act.
#7 by raven77 on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 11:20 am
HINDRAF should have avoided these sought of dramatics……it is after all election time…..better to use the resources to ascertain every Indian votes out the MIC and BN and give Sammy a hard time….not sure now if even PAS, PKR or DAP would like to be associated with this sought of demos…..the really hard work involves going down to every voter, house to house and see them face to face, write them an email and continue the interaction right till election time ….this is hard work and will require organizational skills…..it is science….the science that has brought Obama this far…..HINDRAF needs to change its strategies if it is going to be known as a serious party…..the last thing anyone needs is a gangster like MIC movement…….which every Malaysian including Indians will reject……
#8 by Tickler on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 11:59 am
HINDRAF should have avoided these sought of dramatics……it is after all election time….- posted above.
All the more reason to do it. It is the right time.
‘More police intimidation at Anwar ceramah’
Is the BN so gutless? If they are SOOOOOOOOO invincible, why don’t they just let the Opposition hold ceramahs (talks/rallies), demonstrate on the streets, be featured in the media especially on TV, or give flowers to the PM?
http://anwaribrahimblog.com/2008/01/30/wibawa-suruhanjaya-terus-dipertikai-kini-masa-untuk-menyelamatkan-negara/#comments
#9 by Tickler on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 12:04 pm
..the really hard work involves going down to every voter, house to house and see them face to face, write them an email and continue the interaction right till election time ….this is hard work and will require organizational skills…..it is science – posted above
Badawi`s War On Roses did it in less than a day:
“I am appalled. Wow, thanks, government. Thanks for showing your true colors again. S.V., I’ll like to take you up on your claim that “the majority of Indians would vote for the ruling Barisan in the election.†We’ll see about that. Indeed… especially after today.”
http://www.carolyong.blorc.com/?p=429
This very costly dramatics to the BN, and very effective it could well turn out to be.
#10 by Tickler on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 12:07 pm
More police intimidation at Anwar ceramah
http://jedyoong.wordpress.com/2008/02/17/more-police-intimidation-at-anwar-ceramah/#comment-1463
#11 by Tickler on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 12:09 pm
Also check out BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia for the stories.Malaysiakini and NST had their news reports updated as well.
http://www.roses4pm.blogspot.com/
#12 by k1980 on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 12:19 pm
The fact of the situation is : UMNO Baru has reached the point of no return. It is beyond redemption! And the crux of the problem is that the generation of damage done needs to be resolved, but the very existence of BN militates against its resolution.
http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/2803/46/
#13 by zack on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 12:21 pm
I just watched BCC and I concluded that the Malays existence in the Malaysia is definitely in jeopardy … therefore I called upon all URBAN MALAYS to realise from where you are coming from …. being modern is simply being idealistic but being MALAY is for our survival … calling on the well-known urban Malays …DR. Farish, Dr Azmi, Dr. Bakri ….. do not allow yourself to be the vehicles to crush your own Malays existance ….
#14 by waterfrontcoolie on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 12:34 pm
I totally agreed with ‘I Malaysian’ , the gathering will be made use of by UMNO to ‘psycho’ the rural Malays into defensive action by voting for BN! There would not be any positive hand-out by BN. By now, the only action left is the ballot box! The energy and time spent for this gathering should have been spent to call all voters to vote against these unscrupulous bunch who had literally taken every of their selfish action for granted!! And you have one bloke who justified the actions of the GOMEN by listing a couple of ball licking Indian who had made it big. As if they had sweated for it! We all know they have to release their quotas to the MASTERS!!
#15 by Tickler on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 1:02 pm
The rural malays are not necessarily all going for BN. Even Badawi`s Kepala Batas seat is unsafe.
#16 by Man_of_Honour on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 1:14 pm
Polis in Malaysia is a disgrace to our nation… Checkout the polls in bar council website
http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/component/option,com_pollxt/task,results/id,22/Itemid,213/?mosmsg=Thanks+for+your+vote%21
#17 by Tickler on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 1:22 pm
temenggong Says:
February 16, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Children detained and separated from their parents! While only about 4,000 or less people took part in these street protests, and dispersed as they were, it was more electrifying that the earlier Hindraf rally of Nov 25th, the most fearful and dramatic being at the Pudu Temple, near Puduraya, where the whole area was cordened off to traffic and with thousands of people watching including several tourists. While it was an all Indian rally, there was support from passing malay motorists. There is acknowledgement of the greivances.
For the first time I noticed discontent within the police force, especially the Indian officers. Mutiny is not for away!
Indian women have ascended to the fore in these protests as new leaders of a mass movement. This changes everything, quadruples the effects.
Now Indians and BN have breached a point of no return. Yesterday, Feb 15th 2008 was the last day of peace, and it will be that way for sometime. There will be no peace in Malaysia until BN is taken down, ripped apart, shredded and cremated, next starting with the chinese parties MCA and Gerakan.
While awareness is growing daily, the elphant in the room is clearly visible, the faster the malays and chinese respond positively to the enormity and gravity of this situation, the better for their community and business. I don’t how how else to say it!
http://harismibrahim.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/pdrm-guns-1-vs-hindraf-roses-0/#comments
#18 by direct2ushop.com on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 1:32 pm
Let me make my stand clearly; I would be voting for DAP this coming election in Penang.
Yes the police should be more tactful in handling the rally but my main concern is, why the parents are bringing their small children to this kind of rallies? Children are God’s gift to us and they should be protected. We all know that rally is illegal because the government did not issue a permit. Also the mob mentality comes in play here, when a group exist, they are more bold, more strong and of course more violent. I read papers that there is also one wanted man among the rally. As responsible parents, is it not our job to protect the young??
I will not vote blindly for any party nor I will be swayed easily by empty promises. This year vote is for DAP and opposition to create more stability for Malaysia. As matured, thinking adults, no matter what the reasons, children should be protected and bringing them to join rallies are absurd knowing how stupid our policemen are.
#19 by Tickler on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 1:44 pm
As responsible parents, is it not our job to protect the young?? – posted above
A facetious comment implying Indians do not know how to take care of their kids. There are hundreds of kids of various races who accompany their parents out daily.
While the police shoot tear gas at the 11 year old? Does that not make the police child abusers?
Why didn`t the police arrest the `wanted man` in that crowd?
Why is that monkey Khairy allowed to orgainise illegal UMNO demos?
Why is the Gerakan Disciplinary Committe unable to come up with a decision on this after 2 months:
In an audacious move, a notable Gerakan politician has taken Barisan Nasional coalition leader Umno to task for inciting racial sentiments among Malays to gain political mileage.
“They incite racial sentiments among their community in a petty attempt to further their political career,†Gerakan Youth vice-chief S Paranjothy alleged today (Dec 21).
http://yeinjee.com/malaysia/gerakan-act-against-own-man-for-umno-sake/
#20 by jus legitimum on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 1:59 pm
Correct,correct,correct.Why is the spineless Gerakan still keeping quiet on Paranjothy’s outburst?Are they scared of political backlash among the Indian electorate?
#21 by Plaintruth on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 2:25 pm
For all the readers who had friends and family having connection to foreign press, news reporters, editors: Tell them the plights of the non-bumiputra. How the minority is oppressed and discriminated.
Tell them not just to report the incidents but the underlying truth, the chain reaction from the NEP.
Tell them Malaysia is the second country in the world that practise Apartheid under the disguiese of NEP. Discrimination based on race and religion is not going to be tolerated in this day. Let them spread the news. Let the world know about it and come to our aid.
#22 by jus legitimum on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 2:33 pm
KTK the Gerakan chief befits the chinese saying the mute has eaten ‘hwang lian’ ( a very bitter stuff) meaning he can not speak out his real feeling towards repercussion caused by Paranjothy.
#23 by Cinapek on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 2:40 pm
Kevin Rudd and his administration in Australia admitted their country’s past mistakes and genuinely apologise for the wrongs done to the aborogines.
AAB’s administration not only refuses to admit the wrongs done to the other races in this country, they chose to use force even on women and children to intimidate them when the minorities bring up their plight. It is a clear sign of arrogance arising from the saying, “power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Gandhian or Martin Luther King approach is a waste of time on these monsters. It is time to teach them a lesson. Vote Opposition and do not for one minute be swayed by the BN claims that they have done a lot for the people while the Opposition has done nothing. The BN could have done a lot more if there were less corruption at the highest levels, less cronyism and nepotism, practise true meritocracy and no racial discrimination for education, Govt. employment etc. And the Opposition could have done a lot more if they had the same access to the nation’s resources the BN had.
#24 by hiro on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 4:22 pm
Badawi continuously demonstrates a continuing failure to govern effectively and innovatively. Every demonstration he clamps down only infuriates the people more. He may not have wanted to have anything to do with Hindraf, but he could have sent someone to take the flowers from the children. The police could have imposed conditions saying no more than 15-30 Hindraf representatives could meet up with such representatives. There are so many ways for Badawi to skin the cat, yet he is moved to demonstrate the harshest and the most ineloquent method of them all.
An aside. If you look at Badawi’s picture when he first became PM and his pictures now, you will notice a subtle difference. It’s called arrogance.
Once must take one’s hat off for Mahathir. This man ran the country for more than 20 years, but resigned (though by reason of international pressure). Badawi is not even 1/10th of this man, and he’s already displaying an unusual amount of arrogance. Power may corrupt absolutely, but it took a while for TDM to be fully corrupted. It’s only taken 3 1/2 years for Badawi to be like that. It goes to show a weakness of character.
We must not allow this PM another day in the office. And the fact is since Najib is not doing any better, we would have better luck voting the opposition wholesale. Seriously.
#25 by Rakyat Teraniaya on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 4:26 pm
I agree with Cinapek! Let’s teach Barang Naik Dictator Pak Lah by voting them out!
Vote DAP!
Vote PKR!
Vote PAS!
Vote for a change! Vote for the future of our Children! Vote BA!
#26 by ZePenguin on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 5:12 pm
HINDRAF Rose Rally in New York pictures:
http://www.makkez.com/2008/02/17/hindraf-rose-rally-in-new-york-usa/
#27 by SIMPLYJUSTICE on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 7:38 pm
i’m amazed to see that the chinese community do not beleive that they have been marginalised or discriminated by the UMNO let government ????
#28 by jus legitimum on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 8:08 pm
Simplyjustice,it is because they are happy with what they have now.Except those who are kowledgeble and are fully aware of the political reality facing them.Nobody can deny that the minorities, Chinese and Indians alike have been marginalised for decades.It is especially so after the implementation of NEP when we are categorised as second class or the non bumis.It is shit on the UMNO idiots who practise apartheid and put us in the current pathetic situation.
#29 by Sitiawan on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 8:54 pm
It’s outrageous!
Bodohwi should be condemmed.
Bury Bodohwi and BN to Eternity.
#30 by DarkHorse on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 10:05 pm
We should unite under the primary objective which is to wrest control of the government from BN which has lost the legitimacy to govern as a result of decades of excesses and abuses of political power, and set a new direction for a fledgling and fragile democracy and stem the tide of Islamo-fascism which is threatening the unity of this nation.
Hindraf which is not a political party, because of the communal nature of its demands is dividing us more than it is uniting. We can tap the energy it is generating among some Malaysians but we must be circumspect when doing so especially when the men in blue trying to control the demonstrators are mostly from one race and the demonstrators are from another.
#31 by Rakyat Teraniaya on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 10:10 pm
Viewing the Malaysiakini.com video posted in youtube makes me think the video was taken from some war torn country like serbia or something where the government tortures and victimizes it’s Rakyat. To think this happened in downtown Kuala Lumpur by our FRU on our Rakyat holding nothing more than banners, pictures of Agong and roses.
Despicable and Deplorable. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should resign as he has failed his Rakyat time and time again. No need for the Rakyat to vote him out. He should take the responsibility and resign.
VOTE DAP! VOTE PKR! VOTE PAS!
END THE BARANG NAIK REGIME!
#32 by DarkHorse on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 10:10 pm
Marginalization of any ethnic minority in any country is a serious issue and no one can be neutral over an issue like that. Hindraf leaders should have declared their support for a political party instead of remaining aloof and unresponsive to attempts to court them.
#33 by undergrad2 on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 10:29 pm
Many Malays are not unsympathetic to the condition of the Indians. Hindraf has united the Malays. But guess who they are united for rather than against?
#34 by mendela on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 10:35 pm
To all our brothers and sisters from Hindraf, we are with you. Pls watch below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taVW8Kv2HcQ
#35 by cheng on soo on Sunday, 17 February 2008 - 11:24 pm
All non bumi BN supporters = masochist. They support someone to ill treat them, marginalize them etc, they are psychologically sick. Come on Non bumi, U know BN cannot lose, so pls support any opposition to hv some check n balance on ruling party
#36 by Danniel on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 12:36 am
50 years is too long
50 years past like a horrible nightmare under BN
Please wake up from this long nightmare
So that another 50 years of hell will not come
To a nation already full of BN corrupts and sins
VOTE FOR A CHANGE
VOTE FOR OPPOSITION
VOTE FOR DAP
All our DAP and opposition supporters, there’s a need to publish a complete chronology and history of all Barisan National scandals and damages done by BN to the nation over the years under the leadership of Bodowi as well as those BN coconut leaders before him. List of facts and figures should be published before and during the election so that people will not forget about all the dirty sins conducted by Barisan National all these years, with the hope that history will not repeat itself in the future.
The internet can play a great role in this.
#37 by ktteokt on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 6:59 am
Remember they used 300 fully-armed FRU men to disperse 300 peaceful demonstrators holding candles? Now they use the same force on people trying to present flowers. Is this action called for? And what threat is there that these people have created? Utilizing 300 FRUs to disperse 300 helpless citizens would mean a 1:1 effort. Does that mean the armed forces in Malaysia are only good for that kind of job? So what would happen when the enemy attacks us? Would they come in a 1:1 proportion or ratio or is our army going to set a ruling of 1:1? But even at 1:1, I think our army would be incapable to handle; don’t forget the enemy is ARMED!!!!
#38 by apa on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 10:16 am
if you are doing business at those areas see if you support this kind of campaign or not.
What really turn international shame for Malaysia is the Hindraf & those – to start road demonstartions. Police are doing their job, maybe a bit over react. But who started this culture?
Do it peacefuly, we have the voting rights – lucky for us.
Go for demonstration if you are staying in Myanmar, I suggest.
#39 by k1980 on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 11:36 am
The next Hindraf march may carry C4 grenades instead of roses
#40 by apa on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 11:45 am
someone is calling you ‘criminal’ and you want to tell the world you want to be a criminal?
Say No to Violence!
#41 by limkamput on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 12:05 pm
apa lah du. kamu cakap apa? who create all the trouble for the businesses? Police or Hindraf. I never see Hindraf blocking or diverting trafffic but i certainly see police doing that. kamu ini kalut la. kalau tak tahu, diam diam cukup. Yes, the police is telling the whole big wide world that they are criminal, bukan hindraf.
#42 by cheng on soo on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 12:37 pm
This apa fellas is too short sighted, who create this trouble, it is BN, if BN treat every citizen fairly, then no Hinraf lah!.
If all keep quiet like this, soon Msia, when petrol run out, no future business for everyone lah!
Who use violent, polis ! so polis = criminal !
So apa, r u saying No to polis?
#43 by apa on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 12:38 pm
lu sudah buta, lu ekstream, lu tau tak? tak tau wa kasih tau karang.
kerana ada orang macam kau, dunia akan kaput bukan kamput.
bila satu hari hang kena pasai, jangan cari polis langsung. “The next Hindraf march may carry C4 grenades instead of roses”
hang jangan pakai kereta, pakai kaki. hang jangan makan nasi, makan kulit kayu. Itu semua ada subsidi. Myamar perlu orang macam kau.
rasional sikit lah. waras sikit lah. Orang yang ekstream hanya bawa bencana.
kerana kau ekstream, aku terpaksa ekstream sikit, namun kau mesti tak insaf lagi.
nasib baik bukan semua DAP ekstream macam kau.
sekurang-kurangnya, saya tidak.
#44 by apa on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 12:42 pm
polis just doing their job, BUT why bring children?
Polis might be a bit over but why bring children? U want to bring your children for this? If you are polis what u do? Hindraf is not criminal, if no crime happens, if no “The next Hindraf march may carry C4 grenades instead of rosesâ€.
#45 by cheng on soo on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 12:51 pm
“It semua ada subsidi,” kereta ada subsidi ka? Harga kereta di Msia adalah antara yang termahal sekali di dunia lah!
Setuju, bawa kanak2, pakai C4, memang salah. Siapa yang telah pakai C4??
Polis tak boleh buat kerja mereka secara aman? kena guna cara ganas semacam tu?
#46 by highhand on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 2:06 pm
No audicity, No hope
Change we can believe in
#47 by badak on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 3:01 pm
Pak lah is one smart man,He knows he lost the indians and chiness votes,So he is now going all out to win the malay votes by using race , religion and money .RM 900 Million was given last month to MARA to give out as loans to Malays.( UMNO Malays )
UMNO is going house to house (Malay Houses) saying if UMNO loses ,Malays will lose everything,BA will take away the Malay rights,Bahasa Malaysia will be second language and only UMNO can defend Islam. I,M not saying B.A is good ,but at least give it a try.
#48 by cheng on soo on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 5:07 pm
Somebody ask whether, Hindraf can wave keris in their next protest, as waving keris is an “accepted” gesture in Msia??
Waving keris supposed to protect all Msian??
#49 by sammyvellu on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 8:48 pm
I for one like to sound the stupidity of Indians being lied upon by Samy Vellu (“I don’t look like him, ma name does sound like him but I am not him”).
After 50 years, we let a Banana Govt to divide the country racially so that they can have 2/3 (more like 7/8) majority. Very much like the lifespan of a typical building, its time for the old Malaysia to be demolished and a new one built, one with a great deal on check and balances.
DAP, PAS and Keadilan, for Christ sake, screw the religion, race and self centredness for now. Unite and whack the corrupt BN
#50 by alaneth on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 8:54 pm
Not Keris (that reminds me of Ketuanan Melayu).
Wave the Indian Hindu dagger instead & show on TV & YouTube.
I can confidently say Indian votes (7%- 20% in some areas) can be ‘King Makers’ this election. At a ‘split’ area btw UMNO-Keadilan or MCA-DAP or MCA-PKR/PRM, you Indians can tip the scale off-centre towards opposition!!! Make that happen & see the surprises on BN’s face how great an effect a small minority group can cause in this GE.
Just do it! – Vote DAP/PKR/PRM.