The banning of Hindraf by the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hamid Albar must be deplored in the strongest possible terms.
It is a retrogressive, vindictive and petty step which will hamper the nation-building healing process vital for Malaysians to feel one and united people again.
Instead of reaching out to the Malaysian Indian community to resolve the root political, socio-economic, cultural and religious causes which have made Malaysian Indians an alienated and aggrieved community as the new underclass in the country, ham-fisted measures to ban Hindraf will only aggravate the disaffection among the Indian community.
Coming in his last five months as Prime Minister, the ban on Hindraf is also testimony to the failure of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to take nation-building to a new and more mature level.
DAP MPs will raise in Parliament the undemocratic and myopic ban on Hindraf.
After the March 8 general election, BN MPs from all the BN component parties pledged to be more outspoken to protect the rights and interests of all communiies.
I invite MPs from all the BN component parties to join with Pakatan Rakyat MPs to take a common stand – to demand that the Home Minister revoke the ban on Hindraf and to call on Abdullah to give top priority in his last five months as Prime Minister to end the polarisation process by heading an all-party parliamentary committee to address the long-standing and legitimate grievances of the Malaysian Indians.
#1 by sj on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 8:46 am
The way I see this, this is Mahathir’s invisible hand moving Syed Hamid Albar to start a clamp down. Banning Hindraf is like banning people from coming together. Is part of a divide and conquer rule. Who is best in doing this? Heck, no one but Mahathir himself of course.
#2 by sj on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 8:49 am
By the way, on what grounds is Hindraf banned on? I believe the Rakyat would like to challenge Syed Hamid on constitution rights in this issue. The rakyat should not just take this sitting down. Challenge Syed Hamid to bring his case, if can sue Syed Hamid in court of law for abuse of power. Lodge police report. Make the rakyat more Constitutional literate than these idiots.
#3 by cinaindiamelayubersatu on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 9:01 am
ya allah ya tuhanku,
berilah kekuatan dan petunjuk kepada mereka yang teraniaya
berilah balasan api neraka kepada mereka yang menganiaya
#4 by taiking on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 9:08 am
Hindraf came about because of oppression.
Because the bottom class citizens of malaysia do not have any other avenue to communicate with the umno government.
And so they set up Hindraf.
A self help effort to establish that missing avenue of communication.
For otherwise, they would have none at all.
So we can see that Hindraf is really an act of desperation by them.
What else can they do?
Now, even this avenue is blocked.
If you ask me, umno is really asking for trouble big time.
As if 308 means nothing to them.
Perhaps the 916 non-event embolden them.
That would be foolishness of the highest order on umno’s part.
Mamaks make up a large proportion of umno.
What have they got to say.
Which side on they on?
#5 by Bigjoe on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 9:25 am
I think you missed more appropriate and relevant word to describe this – its foolish or stupid.
I have personally seen how the unreasonable force is used in many places and let me tell you the main ingredient for Indian-Malay relation to turn violent is already in place. If its not reversed soon, there may be no turning back. The main ingredient for these things turning violent is not power, greed, misery BUT foolishness and stupidity and its all here.
Why is this foolish?
1) Its not workable. So what if its illegal? It makes no sense.
2) Its not manageable. By making it illegal, it provide a justification for the crazies and the weak minded to act stupid and they have a persistent patern of doing it. Teresa Kok will give you a first hand account. There is just too many of them.
Stupidity plus passion always end up being really really bad…
#6 by Toyol on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 9:36 am
ALL Indians must leave MIC as a sign pf protest. Also, all Chinese must leave MCA before the shit hits the fan. Victimization of people who are merely fighting for their rights is just plain unacceptable.
#7 by wesuffer on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 9:44 am
what our home minister to ban hindraf is fast and solve the case.
but this action is by orang yang tak ada otak.
pm bodoh, choose cabinet also bodoh minister
#8 by waterfrontcoolie on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 9:57 am
To argue with trapped mentality is a futile effort. Just reorganise yourself with a new identity with the same objective! By the way, the group needs new approach towards their struggle.
From the look of things, the approach taken by the Indian Community, though basically because of poverty and desperation, needs some adjustment. Unless the Community can also address what many presume to be its inherent characteristics, it will continue to have real up-hill struggles.
Some of these fears sold by UMNO are the demands made by some immediately after 12th GE in this blog itself! We all know such demands are just sensationalism out of euphoric feelings but UMNO has been able to sell them to the lesser informed Malays.
And believe me, this very fears created in some of the blogs have come back even to haunt PR itself!
Do we want to shout just to feel good or do we sincerely think that a real Malaysian society could eventually be created? To create the kind of Malaysian Society, all reasonable minds can hope for, cannot be done over-night. It takes time and certainly plenty of understanding from all sides. It certainly cannot be nurtured in such blog sites!! Angry words will be reciprocated with words of similiar emotion! To what end?
The universal truth: you reap what you have sowed can not be denied! Of course, many of us just cannot wait to see the outcome! This we will have to leave it to the ALMIGHTY!
#9 by drmaharajahrk on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 10:35 am
Banning Hindraf doesnt change anything except alienating the Indians further from MIC/ BN.
Banning Hindraf doesnt change anything cos Hindraf is not registered to begin with……so it is business as usual for Hindraf……..
eg : if i am not a citizen of Malaysia, how do u revoke my citizenship……understand u bloody NEP brained Syed Hamid ?
#10 by zak_hammaad on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 11:26 am
It is a somber thought to know that the authorities are willing to take firm action against trouble-makers despite a climate of racial tension brought on by the double-edged “reforms” of the pathetic AAB.
#11 by Emily Pratt on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 12:03 pm
Let’s step back a little and restrategize:
Hindraf is banned, but then Hindraf is not a even a legitimate organization, so how could Botak Clown declare it to be illegal when it was never a legal entity.
Maybe next time, Hindraf can circumvent silly Botaks’ rule by naming yourself H1NDR4F or Hindu Draf or Makkal-Shahti.org. any other name deem fit.
All active Hindraf members or organizing members should join Pakatan or suitable legal political party that is sympathetic to their cause e.g., DAP and use that platform to continue to voice their plight.
Just tossing some ideas for you guys to think about.
#12 by melurian on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 1:20 pm
i din see problem with this action – hindraf (utusan quote parti haram) should be banned, the sooner the better. the “black” wave on 25 nov last year still resonates my mind, the fear how they terrorised the street, how they whacked the police, how they cause massive traffic jam, how they instiled terror in ordinary citizen, how they destroyed properties, how they shouted and hurled verbal abuses, etc ……. the gov should have banned them instead delay it until today. if only they decisively blacklisted them before 8-mar … so what if hindraf giving tuition, JI too was giving tuition, ceramah and why kena banned ….
#13 by Yee Siew Wah on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 1:23 pm
Here we go again. This stupid arrogant pea brain baldie toad is now desperately doing this so that he can get more nominations from those racialistic scumbags in Unmo.
The outgoing sleepy flipflop lame duck and the mr.C4 hippo must be holding each other balls. These two bums have tons of scandalous baggages on their backs.
These stupid bums did not reliase that they do more harm than good to ban the peace loving and people orientated Hindraf.
They may destroy the party. But I bet they cannot destroy their spirit and courage to fight for their rights.
These bums are exacting their revenge on Hindraf for their lost in 08 march. What sore losers and piss off bums they become.
Keep up the fight Hindraf irrespective.
#14 by benny on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 1:24 pm
Uncle kit,
The UMNO regime being racist,arrogant never given a chance to HINDRAF for a dialogue.The UMNO regime never realise its the same MIC/IPF supporters who is now in HINDRAF are dead against the govt policies.
We Malaysian Indians are dissapointed,angry,frustrated with the UMNO Flip Flop PM who has a big ear to listen but the ear drum has perforated.We need to blame the component party of BN for the presence situation who still whacking their tail for their master.Dei BOTAK MINISTER YOU CAN BAN HINDRAF BUT NOT THEIR SPIRIT
#15 by wesuffer on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 2:56 pm
Ban hindraf is protect of UMNO safety, but not public safety.
hindraf action nothing to do with public. but only to BN Umno.
#16 by oknyua on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 3:12 pm
Solidarity was banned. For years Lech Walesa and his Solidarity found the might of the Polish Communist supported by Kremlin. The truth of Solidarity, however, can’t be banned.
BN’s treatment of Hindraf follows the same path as the Polish Communist party, and by the same law, is at the beginning of the collapse of BN. The reason is simple: BN just does not have the means to contain an idea whose time has arrived.
On its cruelty towards its citizen (e.g. ISA), the present BN resembles the Stassi (Ministerium für Staatssicherheit) of East Germany. The last E Germany leader, Erich Honecker rose from being a Youth Communist Party leader, leaving trails of ruthlessness, murders, and deceits – please use your own imagination here. But that also marked the end of Stassi – and by the same law, it is also a signal BN’s time is up.
Let them do their worst; its time up for BN.
#17 by Samuel Goh Kim Eng on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 3:24 pm
Looking back carefully at hindsight
It was only a craft used as a draft
To convey certain messages not in normal sight
Examining issues that needed serious attention beyond graft
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng – 161008
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Thur. 16th Oct. 2008.
#18 by Toyol on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 3:34 pm
If HINDRAF is illegal, so is UMNO. UMNO preaches racism, nepotism, and croynism. Senior members of UMNO raises their kerises and threaten the other races with blood time and again. Isn’t this a threat to national security. Can the powers…Bar Council or PR please do something to de-register this racists party.
#19 by Stephenlsa on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 3:53 pm
How can a party which represent their community can be banned?It wont help the situation but make it worsen. A wise and PM of all Malaysian should have a talk with Hindraf leader to solve their problem. Have a long time Hindraf Leader are under arrest, surely their relatives and friends will worry on it and hope to celebrate the impending Hari Deepavali with them, although their coming to PM house is a little unconvenient but still can be apologized base on their hope to invite back their leader. All the people in the world wont happy with their family is not arround. The leaders of Hindraf has not do any bad thing like killing, raping… What for to catch them, to be a democratic country , Abdullah should release them before Hari Deepavali as the hope for all Indians. Chinese and Malay should all support as support our Indian Friends. They are not monster as scared by Syed Hamid, Abdullah , Najib but they aa are MALAYSIAN.
#20 by ahkok1982 on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 5:24 pm
If Hindraf is banned, then all of them can group under a new party called Indraf. If that is banned too, then can go under a new party called Hindraf 2. If once again banned, then can call Hindraf Baru.
Sure, go ahead and ban summore…. it is really like they do not learn at all. no capacity to learn. Firstly ban internet blog, then when it does not work, suck thumb.
so now want to ban parties… well, pakatan, take a lesson from this. once you are in power, you can do the same thing. BAN THE DAMN UMNO AND ALL UNDER BN.
#21 by khairi ali on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 6:28 pm
Its another spin by our famous opposition mp. the ban is meant for stablising the situation, but not banning the cause of the Indian minority. This is because hindraf is using the unstable path to put forward their grieviences. Civility is needed not only among the hindraf, but also from their supporters, and by claiming that government is using its claws, could not solve anything. hindraf members should re-charted their civility for the sake of their struggle.
#22 by sj on Thursday, 16 October 2008 - 6:36 pm
People please read this article and think.
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/13891/84/
I find that this scenario is very plausible now that Mahathir is back in the center arena. His best work is to destroy people and in one swoop clean up dissenters and grab power.Do not give them that chance. Focus on our primary objective. Get the change of goverment. Be persistent about it. Do not let yourself be distracted by issues on racism and religion. All those issue will be taken care of once PR assumes Federal level. Be mature and control your emotion. If you want RPK, DAP, PAS and PKR to win then do not be goaded into emotion. Especially with the recent HINDRAF BANNING issue. Stay FOCUS on our goal which is WHAT RPK HAS BEEN ASKING US TO DO. STRIVE FOR CHANGE OF GOVT.
#23 by ahkok1982 on Friday, 17 October 2008 - 11:43 am
Is Hindraf a registered society or party? I dont think so…..
So ban all you want…. there is nothing you can do.
#24 by isahbiazhar on Friday, 17 October 2008 - 3:34 pm
MIC had failed the Indians.Samy Velloo used the caste system and distinguished himself to represent the Tamils.His tactics prevailed before the election and the Indians totally got rid of him.Since MIC was routed he still echoed because of his 50 year old supporters.Hindraf represented the true Indian aspiration.They protested and made the world to kinow that the Indians in Malaysia were never accorded a respectful position they were suppossed to enjoy.Hindraf fought for all Indians.They had a good cause.Samy Velloo brushed them out but he failed to realise that now that Hindraf had been banned by the government it is as good as banning the MIC.If a secret vote is taken now only the MIC of Samy will vote for the MIC.The rest can be assured will support Hindraf,The government got the wrong advise this time from Samy.Just because they protested during the open house it deems no ban.Even Haji Hadi supported such action as Democratic.During the short period of time the Indians in Malaysia had already started to give their support and never in their mind think of MIC.Banning had showed most of the time a negative outlook.Unlike the Muslim organisation Hindraf did not bring the issue of religion but it was the economic plight of the Indians.TRhe government can bring all kind os statictics to support their statement but the Indians were never helped i when comparede to the Malays.Poverty among the Indians were deservable as they drink alcohol but poverty among the Malays is respected and given ASN.If the government had done that Indians would have been better.When the BN gave MONEY to MIC through Maika Samy Vello brought his men to squander.Look at how the situation now.His own son is there.Maika made the Indians poorer.The very Indians he was supposed to help.Pagar makan padi.The dawn of the 21st century is the era of the Asians and Indians are going to play a part.If the government is going to treat the Indians as Indians and not Malaysians it will prove in time that the people will rise.That is what HINDRAF showed.The banning was uncalled for and MIC can see its death soon.For the good of the country and for the Indians Abdullah should revoke the ban before he leaves and repalce Albar perhaps with an Indian minister who will appreciate with the inborn qualities of GHANDHI