You compromise the credibility of your message when you cry wolf or as in this case, by embellishing the sufferings of the Indian Malaysians with genocidal terminology, a reader tells Hindraf.
On PM: Hindraf lies over Indian plight
Albero C: I am appalled by the harsh and disproportionate treatment of protesters by the police in KL recently. The political response has been equally appalling. Abdullah Badawi is proving as inept as he is weak politically. Both the Bersih and Hindraf protests were symptomatic of the deeper political malaise felt by a growing number of Malaysians who no longer feel "good" about being Malaysian. The election is gerrymandered. Democratic institutions are dysfunctioning from political interferences and bastardisation. Race-based politics led by Malay supremacists is now nom de guerre, compounded by rising tide of political Islam bordering on Wahabism - foreign even to the Muslim-majority Malays.
I believe Hindraf has many valid grievances that merits political response. Indians are economically, socially and politically marginalised. But there is no ethnic cleansing against Indians or any ethnic groups in Malaysia even if you want to stretch the use of "ethnic cleansing". The authors of Hindraf petition to the UK government, all of whom are men of letters, ought to be ashamed for overextending their lexiconic latitude. You compromise the credibility of your message when you cry wolf or as in this case, by embellishing the sufferings of the Indian Malaysians with genocidal terminology.
KSN: I watched the PM getting angry with Hindraf on TV. Let us look at what he said. He said there is no ethnic cleansing in Malaysia, unlike Bosnia. He is right and his anger is legitimate. Hindraf was wrong to use that disgusting phrase but did they mean Bosnian-type of cleansing? It was a catchy phrase. So let's not take it too literally. Please understand that I am not rationalising for Hindraf. But do not use this an excuse to write off their basic requests.
They have asked for a meeting with the PM and I feel that he should hear them out. The memorandum they have earlier submitted was to the PM.
Inayat Lalani: There are some basic principles of civilisation (Muslim and non-Muslim alike) that all nation states must adhere to.
- The state should never ask to see your pedigree and never ask what faith you profess.
If we, Muslims, cannot wholeheartedly subscribe to and practice the above principles, what right can we demand that, for instance, Israel treat its non-Jewish citizens the same as it treats the Jews? And if we can make the above principles stick (starting with ourselves), we can then ensure the acceptance of 'one state solution' for all of Israel-Palestine, which is the only possible solution and one which cannot escape the imperative of human history.
On Devamany escapes punishment
Ragesh Kumar Lingam: For the past few weeks, there been so many comments on the Hindraf rally. Our prime minister even said that any dissatisfaction by the Indians can be raised by MIC representative. But what happen when MIC representative voice out something to support the Indian Malaysians? Look at what happened to Sothinathan and Devamany.
I don't see anything wrong in what Sothinathan said last time regarding the medical student in CSMU and also with what Devamany said. If MIC representative is not allowed to do so, that's when Hindraf will come in. Let the MIC say something for Indians in Malaysia and to the Umno leaders. Don't make it an issue if MIC say something in Parliament because that is what they are there for. I don't see any necessity for Devamany to apologise to PM or DPM, and the ban for Sothinathan last time was ridiculous too.
On Samy: Gov't has many programmes for Indians
Peter Ooi: I really had a good laugh when I read the headlines. Nevertheless, it served the Indian community well if it is true and I, for one, will fully support any plans to uplift the poor. In this case, it is the Indians.
It is really an irony that this comes out of Samy Vellu's mouth. All these years, the Indians' cries for help are not without reason. In fact Samy Vellu should be the first to realise the limited job opportunities open to Indians. Being minister of work, he can see that even lowly-paid labour jobs in JKR, which were once the dominated by Indians labourers, were being closed to them. When they could not even find employment even as labourers, what else can they do?
They turned to the government for help, and according to them, it did not do them any good. Like children spurned by the parents, they resort to action to attract their attention. In this case, it is street demonstrations, which was indeed uncalled for but needed to put their messages across. Maybe Samy Vellu has grander ideas for the Indians to the extent that he failed to see the finer details of their problems.
On Hindraf pulls wool over Indians' eyes
Fair Malaysian: Thank you, Fathima Idris for highlighting Hindraf's memorandum, particularly clause 2 where it clearly states that all citizens should be treated as equals on the then Malayan soil. I think that this has to be translated into Tamil and given to all the non-English speaking Indians. As least those who are still supporting MIC will now know that MIC and BN had been pulling wool over their eyes and Hindraf have now removed it.
Indians, we are all equals. But what happened? How come NEP? How come 'Ketuanan Melayu'? How come raising of keris and claiming Malay special rights? If ever, it was only for 15 years. How come now it seems to be forever? How come? when the only reason Malaysia got independence was only if it treated its citizens fairly.
No wonder Hindraf petitioned the British government. They brought most of the Indians here as indentured labourers. They granted independence to Malaya only on the condition that all Malayans are equals.
On Bar: Dec 9 event not a protest march
Ahmad Kamal: December is a special month for duty holders and rights bearers. Other than World AIDs Day and the 16 days of activism Against Violence Against Women, there is Dec 10. And rightly so that the Bar has noted that the Dec 10 event is open to any person, group, association (political or friendly) and all others.
However, I beg to differ that "everybody will drop their differences and join us to celebrate human rights" as Ambiga was quoted to have said.
It would be more meaningful for a Dec 10 celebration to recognise differences (biological, political and all other configurations) and to recognise that differences should not result in discrimination and unequal treatment.
