Malaysia's Reputation Hits Rock Bottom As Government Uses ISA On Those Who Exposed Racism & Discrimination
Malaysia invoked a tough internal-security law on Thursday to indefinitely detain five ethnic Indian activists from a group that had staged a mass anti-government protest last month.A police official, who declined to be named, said the five belonged to the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), which stunned the government by bringing more than 10,000 ethnic Indians onto the streets to complain of racial discrimination.
One of those detained on Thursday was a Hindraf leader, lawyer P. Uthayakumar, who had already been charged with sedition for alleging that Malaysia practised "ethnic cleansing" of Indians, which make up about 7 percent of the population.
"They said they were arresting him under the ISA (Internal Security Act), but they didn't say where they were taking him," said Shantha, who answered Uthayakumar's mobile phone after news of the detentions and said she was his secretary.
She gave the names of three other detainees as M. Manoharan, V. Ganapatirau and T. Vasanthakumar. She said she was not aware of a fifth detainee, though the Hindraf Web site gave the fifth name as K. Kengadharan, also a lawyer.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who came to power four years ago promising a more transparent and open government, had said this week he would have no trouble signing a detention order to ensure public security and national stability.
The Hindraf rally was one of two mass protests last month. A separate crowd of around 10,000 people had also turned out on the streets of the capital early last month to demand fairer elections, amid expectations of a snap poll by March next year.
The opposition has accused Abdullah of using public order as an excuse to crack down on peaceful dissent.
"We condemn these arrests," said Lim Guan Eng, head of the opposition Democratic Action Party.
"It is a desperate act of last resort and if the government has any evidence, it should charge them in an open court.
"We urge the government to seek national reconciliation, not confrontation with disaffected, marginalised and dispossessed Malaysians."
***** What a shame and disgrace this Pak Lah-led government is turning out to be! Now let's see how Umno fares in the next elections.
Image - Source
Labels: Corrupt Government, Discrimination., Intolerance, Legal Matters., Never Ending Policy (NEP), Umnoputras - Blunders And Plunders.
posted by The Malaysian. at 12/13/2007 04:41:00 PM
7 Comments:
Largely, informed and educated people not at all taken up by what Hindraf and Bar Council have done to shame the government. Most allegations have gone unsubstantiated. There has been a clear collision between Hindraf lawyers and some Indian lawyers at the Bar Council.
If police are unable to look after the security of the populace then other uniformed personnel must step in. Foreign investor's interest are equally important to safeguard beside the well being of local majority.
Malaysia's reputation was brought down through an act of sabortage and treason. Sadly it has affected the image quite an extent. Now it is slowly recovering bacause people are not always idiots. Even Tamil Nadu and India as a whole have disassociated themselve from Hindraf.
The anonymous commenters are always the ones who talk the most shit. (Yeah comment #1, that's you)
If the Government has EVIDENCE of Hindraf’s alleged terror links, ...etc, just charge them in court.
Why use ISA? Has Hindraf killed anyone? Detroyed any property?
Going out for a walk with friends scared the shit of those in powers?! fbog!
5.38pm what can you do? let them talk shit. In a way some truthful comments are hard to stomach and what more to chew.
I support views # 1. As I said let him talk shit . But if you want people to respect your opinions pl come with something sensible. Dont just shit here and there it's disgusting. By the way where are from? apparently, lowly cultured.
UMNO will do well with the partial EC chief in place. if not, why invoke the whole machinery to have the constitution changed to accommodate one fella.
Invoking the ISA just goes to show that BN is 'mati akal' about dealing with HINDRAF.
HINDRAF was partly wrong, I admit.. especially on the ethnic cleansing. But they were right on spot in all other aspects.
The government HAS SYSTEMATICALLY SUPPRESSED the non-Malays. It is bad enough that it does not help the downtrodden Indian. Even if they struggle up the ladder, it'S policy has put a big boulder to block the Indians.
And all this for the staunch support the Indians had given to BN all this years.
If you don't want to help, its ok but for god's sake, don't suppress us further. Just give us a level playing field.
You don't have to have a NEP kind of policy... just give us chance based on our effort in education, civil service employment, and above all DON'T DEMOLISH OUR TEMPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trishul,
You are right, HINDRAF were wrong in using the words "Ethnic Cleansing" (that was so stupid!). That's rubbish!
However, because of HINDRAF, "everyone & his donkey" is aware of what's happening in Malaysia.
Because of HINDRAF, the PM had a 2 hour meeting with some Indian Groups in Putrajaya last week.
However, HINDRAF members are traitors because they have spoken to outsiders against the Government. You can't simply tell outsiders that your temples are being destroyed, can you? You should just lie down & accept it.
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