The Government’s reaction to peaceful assembly has become more and more paranoiac. Since this morning, the police have again put up road blocks and checkpoints all over KL, and I was also informed, in major highways throughout the country.
As a result: massive traffic jam in Klang Valley.
Will the police action stop the rally this Sunday? (the answer is quite likely not)
Rally this Sunday? Many people have no clue about the protest rally on 25 November if it is not for the Government’s hysteric reaction.
Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) was formed to voice out the plights of Malaysians of Indian descent in this country. It is basically an NGO with primary (if not exclusive) concern on the rights of minority ethnic Indian.
So, what is so threatening? This Sunday, HINDRAF plans to hold a mass rally in front of the British High Commission. The purpose of the gathering is none but to hand over a memorandum to the Queen of the U.K.
There is really no reason for the Government to reject such protest gathering. One can debate the validity of seeking compensation from British government for its crimes during the colonial era. However similar demands have been made by victims of WW2 (eg: comfort women, Nanking Massacre survivors, Forced Labour, etc.) against the Japanese government. We have also compensation claim from Holocaust victims from Germany.
In recent years, African American rights activists to put forward the argument for compensation to descendent’s of slave trade. I believe HINDRAF activists attempt to emulate the multi-billion dollar lawsuit against Lloyd’s of London, the best-known name in world insurance, for allegedly financing the slavery fleets. (The Observer 28/4/2004)
I have my reservation on this type of lawsuit in the context of Malaysia. In my view, the liberation of impoverished Indian community lies not in the compensation from the old colonial power. Poverty and exploitation of Indian Malaysian persisted because of racial politics in the BN. This cannot be overcome merely by mobilizing the support of single ethnicity.
Despite its shortcomings, HINDRAF is a newly emerging force which is at odd with Samy Vellu and MIC. If any, the suit has alerted Indian Malaysians their marginalized position. The people have also come to be aware of the continuous erosion of rights.
Likewise, I would like HINDRAF leadership to be aware that the phenomenon of increasing exploitation exists in all communities: Indian, Chinese or Malay. At the end, the elites in UMNO, the MIC and MCA are the only segment in the society privileged enough to enjoy the lucrative spoils from a corrupted system.
Not surprisingly, Samy Vellu and the Yesmen in his party oppose vehemently to the mass protests. I am sure he and his cronies are observant enough to see the People Power is rising to challenge the archaic political leadership in MIC and BN.
the police under ’special orders’ from someone is trying to use scare tactics to intiminade the public & to show its powers , in view of its recent embattled
corrupt & ’sleeping’ reputation. like a spurned woman taking it out on some young backlane boys.
So Right Tian Chua, the plight of all Malaysian is us”the Malaysians” against these self imposed “Champions of Malaysians”, I was at a coffee shop yesterday telling people not to spoil their votes even if it is PAS agains the “rigged” dacing.
50 years f robbery and mismanagement is enough!
united we will face them bastards.
Thank you, you are courteous and kind Mr. Policeman…
http://malaysiancartoons.blogspot.com/2007/11/thank-you-mr-policeman.html
ALL Malaysian should be allow to voice his or her opinions and actions in a democracy.
There is something very wrong if the authority resort to suppress the rights of the people using the almighty water cannon etc stopping short of combating weapons.
The poor souls who had been marginalised for too long need a space and gut to vent the voice. In a society where only the inner circles (i.e. the ELITES) benefit and getting richer, of course, the minority will fight.
Also, a society where racial politics is the order of the day is heading for some rocky future. No wonder the foreign investors are shying away.
dear fellow malaysians
i dont know if what i saw was correct on Al-Jazeera this afternoon on the protest rally by the local indian community in KL - but it seems the security forces was using tear gas .. against the protesters .. was there a need .. to do so instead of using the more safer option of water cannon .. during the BERSIH protest rally which i believe consisting of more malays than chinese - ( i do not know the exact composition) .. water cannon was used .. and there was no .. tear gas - .. or was there ? is there a racially biased mechanism .. here where if a protest consist of more malays then use a more milder .. weapon and if it is non malays use the tear gas .. dont want to be sound as racist but do correct me if i am wrong or i mis-look at the news report on tv .. but whatever is the case - i think peaceful demonstration should be allowed .. maybe the malaysian govt is trying to paint a .. docile picture to foreign diplomats .. that we malaysians are .. well natured, mild manner people .. such as the ones painted by the .. colonial governments like Frank Sweetennham … and many others .. at the end of the day- if we maintain such decorum the govt will pet us on the head and say .. good dog .. ooppss good boy .. good boy .. (what a laugh .. are we going to bite the govt back this coming election ? .. no more protest please - translate it to votes which is more effective) … swing .. .. to the opposition .. it happen in Australian when voters had enough of Howard and voters felt they were cheated and the Liberals didn’t listen to what the voters wanted so the voters this time around trashed them hard .. and have Labour a big win - so .. are we going to do that .. ? … are we daring enough .. are we brave enough ? .. ask that ourselves ..
Dear Dr Matthew,
In my experience in demonstration, when it comes to FRU, their tear gas or water canon recognize no race or colour. In fact, water canon is not less harmful than tear gas. It can be worse as Msian police add acid into the water causing pain and burn sensation on the skin. Tear gas was also used in Bersih rally.
The degree of violence has nothing to do with the ethnic background of the demonstrators. Instead, the bigger the size of the crowd, the lower incident of violence. It is basically the match of might.
Last Sunday violence should not stop people to come out. Next number the number must be much much larger.
Our mobilization will eventually bring down the government. Umno is like the Lib in Aust, it’s time to change.
Hey Tian - thanks for the clarification .. but please make sure no one get hurts .. or loss of lives .. because when there is are loss of life it also means loss of votes .. and also grieving family members .. at one time i was not a great supporter of any opposition effort but now with the passage of time - i realised so many problems and inequalities under the present government and yes it is time to change .. and give the present government a run ..but i implore all malaysians dont just .. protest but more than that translate it into .. votes which is more meaningful and effective … time to change .. and if it not now WHEN ? … i want it now, soon ! .. i want a govt that is fair - that is equal … and appreciates malaysians and not treat us like animals- sheep to be led to the slaughter .. all i want is democratic change - which is the basic democratic concept - where people have the right to change the govt when they dont seem to be effective or out of touch .. with the people- let’s swing .. now like what happen in Australia .. from Liberal to Labor .. I WANT A NEW DIRECTION A NEW GOVERNMENT - A GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE and BY THE PEOPLE .. Lincoln A.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
I am a Malaysian citizen, and I am a subscriber of ASTRO Satellite TV Broadcast here in Malaysia. Recently I have subscribed to the ASTRO News Package which contains Al Jazeera and other foreign news media.
I was highly looking forward for the international news broadcast on all of the stations provided by the package when I had shocking news from our local news station claiming that the foreign news broadcasters are lying and making stories without properly acquiring the real facts and they are very good actors !!! Furthermore these claims were also made by our government’s politicians.
Now, this is rather disturbing and disappointing for me as I have only subscribed for the service for just a few days and I’m being bombarded with such claims. This eventually made me to think:
Am I an IDIOT to subscribe, pay and end up watching acts and lies
OR
Is there is any conspiracy going on here????
I clearly understand the fact that Al Jazeera has a strong principal called the Code of Ethics and you strictly follow it. But the claims by the politicians and local media here make me to think otherwise.
The claims below were broadcasted on 27-November-2007 in TV3 news station. Similar claims were also made in other local newscasters. This is just a few of the claims.
1. TV3 news station claimed that the foreign media cannot be trusted as they do not report the actual news.
2. YAB Datuk Sri Samy Velu claims that there were only 4,600 demonstrators on 25-November-2007 and NOT 50,000 or any other number as claimed by the foreign media.
3. TV3 news station said that the questions thrown at the Information Minister of Malaysia by Al Jazeera (Al Jazeera’s name was mentioned) was to purposely create a scene to show that Malaysia is in kiosk situation and Al Jazeera purposely built up the story from the real one. They also mentioned the criticism made by the Information Minister to Al Jazeera.
(Prior to sending the mail, I did some research on the net and actually found the video clip of the above Interview in Youtube. And I actually laughed myself out listening to the reply given by our Minister. Pity him for his language. But in the Malaysian news channel TV3, they only provided the “CLEAN” version of the transcript and the actual call was not aired. This makes me even more confused!!! Who is telling the truth here???)
Now, if Al Jazeera is telling lies,
It is high time for Al Jazeera to review back their Code of Ethics and provide the truth for the people. If you can’t do it then don’t cheat the entire world. And don’t broadcast your news at all. I am not a fool to keep paying for acts and lies.
And if Al Jazeera is NOT lying,
Well, what the heck. The damage has already been done. No one in Malaysia is going to listen to your news anyway due to the “VERY GOOD” publicity done by the Malaysian politicians and the local media. By the way, did I mention that our local media could also be received by our neighboring countries like Singapore and Thailand?
FINAL CONCLUSION
It is not my intension to insult Al Jazeera, other foreign media, our local media or the politicians. If you feel offended by this email, I sincerely apologize to you. Whatever the scenario is, all that I want (and the rest of Malaysian citizens who are in my situation want) is the truth. Since Al Jazeera’s and other foreign media’s names have been badly damaged here in Malaysia, Al Jazeera and the other foreign media’s SHOULD do something to fix it back or you may start loosing your viewer in Malaysia.(and its surrounding countries too)
I hope you could keep my details confidential and properly investigate on this issue (just incase if you don’t trust me) and find out the real truth behind such a drastic claims by our local media. That is if you still follow your Code of Ethics.
Yours truly,
A concerned viewer.
PS:
1. i am also forwarding this mail to other foreign media for their response.
2. i will be posting this transcript in the internet via blogs so that the viewers around the world will be aware that this matter has been brought to your attention and for them to express their views.
What is there after all for us to expect
When people don’t show enough mutual respect
To themselves and others in all important aspects
Since deep within their own souls they fail to inspect
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng - 291107
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Thu. 29th Nov. 2007.
Can anyone give me reliable statistics of poverty and income level to let me form a conclusion? From what I see and experience the Indian Community is thriving economically, culturally and socially.
On what really is situation of the Indian Tamils in Malaysia today , in the words of the late Eusoffe Abdoolcader, are we just 4 visually impaired sage trying to describe a pachyderm?
I have lived amongst Tamils from my teenage years to living with one in blissful matrimony and apart from some of my neighbours and friends who used to lived in urban poverty, others are members of a thriving tamil middle class of professionals, blue collar workers and businessman. Even those whom I knew were poor then are now owning homes, cars and businesses.
This Hindraf thing is nothing more than just a bunch of self appointed sages, blinded by ethno-heroism a la Sivaji, trying to pass off the derriere of the elephant as the whole beast and miss completely the majestic animal that consists the sums pf all its parts.