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Ok, so Hindraf rallied thousands of people to the streets on Sunday. Many who marched had reasons of their own. Disillusionment and a sense of having been wronged and neglected fuelled many of those present.
The Hindraf trio of Uthayakumar, Waythamurthy and Ganapathi Rao were discharged by the court of any charges, for now at least.
There were a lot of allegations on how the policies of the government have resulted in the Indians being an oppressed, downtrodden bunch.
Now, Malaysian Indians, take a good hard look at yourself.
How far have we come as a community? True, the downtrodden are still that way, but not all of them. Many of them broke the poverty trap, by getting an education. Those who bothered, could see education as the means of breaking the chains.
My dad saw it. So he pushed his children. My sister became the first doctor to come out of that minority Indian community in my little hometown. I know how hard my parents tried to educate their kids. We are not rich today, but my father’s inclination for books and learning rubbed off on all of us. We read, and our mindsets changed.
I had an ex-colleague who just lost his dad a few days ago. He hailed from the estates, from a family of rubber tappers. He went to university, worked for a Malay language newspaper before moving to and English one, furthered his studies even more (was a Chevening scholar) and today he works in Jakarta. His family too, broke that poverty chain. (If you are reading this BP, my condolence on ur loss).
I’ve a friend who had to leave school and take take of four siblings and mother, when his passed away. Today, all three of his children are engineers and his nephews and nieces either graduated as engineers and accountants or are aces at school, with 4-flat CGPAs. He hailed from the estates, drawing less than minimum wage as tappers at one time.
And take that gutsy engineer chick S. Vanaja who became one of the three shortlisted ones for the Angkasawan bid. We all know who was chosen, but she made it that far didn’t she? Now she may have a future in aerospace, thanks to her current job with the National Space Agency.
I have stated my case on the issue of temples and stuff in the previous posts so I won’t go there again.
I have received some SMSes about people injured and people dead at the rally, in Ampang/KLCC, and without proof, I would like to say it is very irresponsible to make that allegation.
And this letter to Gordon Brown posted at Rocky’s, made me think, has Hindraf leaders’ antics set us back 50 years in the natural racial integration process that made me look at my fellow Chinese, Malay, Kadazan, Punjabi, Bidayuh Malaysians as brothers and sisters?
That letter makes a mockery of the efforts of people like Harris Ibrahim, Malik Imtiaz and Edmund Bon who walked on Sunday just to observe/assist people there.
It makes a mockery of Uncle Zorro, who walked in solidarity with downtrodden folks.
Some of the grievances Hindraf brought up was genuine, so it is a shame really that their outlandish talk and outrageous antics has slashed their credibility.
Read for yourselves and tell me wot u think.
Aljazeera on YouTube, Telegraph India, our neighbours down south
Picture slideshow on BBC, International Herald Tribune
Rajin rajin lah membaca.
Well, throw together the incendiary elements of a growing angry mob of rather passionate people who think they’ve been wronged, with the instruments of law and order. Throw in a hot day, tear gas and water cannon. Lethal cocktail, don’t you think?
Whatever it was, I’m leaving all the action talk to fellow bloggers who had more information, like Harris, Shanghaifish, Jeff Ooi and of course Malaysia Today.
Personal journey.
Well, I wasn’t in the thick of the Hindraf rally much. After a 2am recce of a drive that took me to the Ampang -Tun Razak area and finding roadbloks and increasing police presence, I went back home.
It was almost 9.30 am when I approached the area again, later in the morning. Blocked. Here, there everywhere. Can’t get good shots, I discovered to my chagrin.
Close Encounters of the Cop Kind
So, I walked through the Ampang Hilir area. A bunch of guys and girls started following me. Felt uncomfortable. Had to go through some bushes to get to Lanson Place on Jalan Ampang.
Asked a girl that looked about 25 why is she headed to the rally. She said, “We must show them. Because we are quiet they climb on our head.” (Translated from Tamil to English, I know…kinda lose colour)”Indonesians who came here 10-15 years ago have more rights than us Indians.” This gave me pause.
We continued walking but the cops caught up to us at Jalan Langgak Golf. One Inspector Azmizal started his tongue-lashing, his anger worsened by reports of his men being injured, or so he said.
He collected the all our identity cards and singled me out, apparently since I stood out.
“Why are you here? I could have you hauled to the station on suspicion of rioting. What’s wrong with you people? why can’t you stay at home? Isn’t it peaceful enough for you here? You still get food to eat right? I have Indians on my team too, you know. All we want is to keep order. You want to join the mob and get injured, or injure more people?”
“You, why are you with these people? You look educated enough, why are you part of this?” All these questions coming from the guy with hardly a word in from me edgewise.
How do I tell the guy I was there to take pictures? We bloggers aren’t exactly the darlings of the establishment are we? So I shut my trap and heard him out. I asked him if I was being arrested. He stared and said, no. But please leave the area, he added.
Having gotten my IC back, I made a few calls and sat down for a while. Then I got up and the cops in the Land Rover started following me. So I stopped and asked, “Can I tumpang?”
An East Malaysian riot cop made space and so I got my first ride in cop transport. In between I had a brief conversation. Told the guy I wanted to take pics for my blog. ”You don’t seem like part of the gang, he said.” Then they dropped me.
I resumed my walk. Then another roadblock and being questioned by another cop. Explained and continued, and found I lost the way and backtracked. One of the riot cops said, “Come sit down”.
Joined him and he pointed me towards a bottle of water. Had a grateful gulp and started chatting. He bitched somewhat about being there since 1am the previous night. Hadn’t had a meal, and sitting there in the blazing late-morning sun waiting for orders isn’t the best way to spend a Sunday, he opined.
“But these guys la!” Tell me, what the hell is all these about? Can’t you guys go through proper channels? Everything ada saluran.” I told him if they were being heard, there wouldn’t be a crowd this size today, and he and I wouldn’t be having this conversation.
Another cop kept saying his “kepala masuk air” moved over to the side and napped on his backpack. (below) Poor guy.
Yet another, wanted to take my pic and I returned the favour. Here’s a pic of him taking picture of me.
I continued talking with the cop, and got up close and personal with a tear gas canister. It says made by Federal Laboratories, Pennsylvania. Hmm….
I thanked the friendly cop for the water and went back to my car. A second round from Jalan Semarak and I got to Yap Kwan Seng where the sting of tear gas lingers.
Got to KLCC and consumed by the surge of crowd. It was like Thaipusam, but no one was smiling, and the mood is somber. Cries go up and down.
These pics are from Stephen Francis. My camera battery kong by then.
I saw all there was to see. Asked the balding guy next to me why he came. He said, “This concerns all of us Indians doesn’t it?”
I asked a saree clad auntie being led by a younger girl where she’s from. She said Sungai Buloh. Why was she there? “We have to come out. Maika (MIC) people have neglected us.”
Hmm…I was thinking….It’s not just about the temples is it.
I went home. An Indian neighbour asked me. “If we go and sign, do we get RM1 million each?”
I laughed….without much humour. Sheesh!!
If you have one, you have to forget the other. Why I say this? It was this story quoting an MIC-sanctioned thug who is a senator no less. Why do you guys get worked up when other people are going to march and are willing to risk arrest and maybe gunshot?
“As Malaysians, we have lived in peace and street protests are not a part of our culture.
“I urge the parties to discuss and resolve the matter. History has shown that demonstrations always end in violence.”"Hindraf’s claims are baseless and the Indians here will not support the gathering.
This is what Senator M.Saravanan was quoted as saying. If only he had paid more attention to his fellow Indian folks, there probably wouldn’t be a rally later today. But he’ll sleep in late (it’s Sunday btw) and get the updates later.
I have this to say to Saravanan…Go F**k Yourself!!
I still think the Hindraf method of suing the British govt is somewhat ridiculous. But the way MIC (and you 25 bloody NGOs) distances itself (Not Me, Not Me) is very typically hypocritical and *yawn* boring.
Here’s a thought though. Whether there is a rally later today (I’m blogging at midnight here), whether there is “collateral damage”, whether I see some deaths even, I know one thing.
THE POINT HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE.
The Indians in Malaysia are no longer content to be quiet. Let’s just say that Hindraf effort, mind-boggling as it may seem to many (me included. initially) has done one good thing.
This may very well spell the death knell of MIC as a political representative of Indians in Malaysia. Oh! wait a minute, the Malaysian Indian Congress who ostensibly represents all Indian interests here, has for decades totally ignored the likes of Punjabis, Malayalees, Telugus, hell even the Sri Lankan Tamils. Now it has become very apparent that they did a lousy job of protecting the majority Tamil-speaking people (generally the poorest of the lot).
The division among ethnic Indians here is very apparent. Firstly, the race and language groups, then the caste groups. After that, the haves and the have nots. Which is why for a long time the group cannot come together.
Hindraf has managed to rally the like-minded ones for many reasons. But fellow-feeling figures at the top. Indians of various walks of life has been discriminated at various levels for some time now. They identify with these guys.
The cavalier handling of Indian issues and Indian lives has led to this. The Rimba Jaya incident is just fuel to and already kindled fire. Read of some past fires at Lulu’s. Khir Toyo should have had his arse kicked for the Rimba Jaya incident, where his band of enforcement thugs tore down a surau as well as a pre-war temple, ignoring a court injunction.
Whatever happens today, I’ll tell you this… Samy’s days and MIC’s too is numbered. And I guess among those who might reap benefits is Nallakaruppan, the good black guy, who according to li’l birds, is launching a new political party tomorrow after finding out playing tennis with a DPM could get you nothing but trouble and ingratitude.
BTW, Read Raja Petra’s God is watching us. Nat Tan says the MIC thugs may be about…I don’t doubt it, after all, Indians are famous for screwing their own.
Update: Two more lawyers arrested. Check out Malaysiakini, and also Reuters for overview.
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Aha! Wot did I say yesterday?
Different rules of engagement, peeple. After Bersih, the police are “better prepared” to put a stop to the disgruntled Indians intent on attending this coming Sunday rally in Jalan Ampang. Wearing ORANGE, no less!
I’m of course referring to this report, particularly this para in bold;
Police yesterday set up roadblocks at major roads leading into the city, causing massive traffic jams. Some policemen were armed with submachine guns - weapons which are rarely carried openly by cops.
‘It is part of the police’s crime prevention efforts,’ Kuala Lumpur police chief Zul Hasnan Najib told The Straits Times.He added that Sunday’s gathering, which has not been issued a police permit, was one of the reasons for putting up the roadblocks.
Similar roadblocks were set up during the Nov 10 rally to prevent protesters from entering the city centre.
Friends are calling to say there are multiple roadblocks all over Klang Valley, up till Rawang and from all entry points to the Kuala Lumpur and even in Seremban.
A friend who was driving in Seremban said he was stopped and his car serached, and so were the bags in his boot. Asked why, he was told by the polite, smiling cop, “Takda…saja check.”
BTW, this guy had no clue as to Hindraf and the class action suit until then.
Samy Vellu, who was in shock over the collapsed building in Perak and was given another shock by a UPSR student’s suicide, says Malaysian Indians are “free” to join the rally if they believe Hindraf claims.
Aiyo…Uncle Sam, but the IGP and Johari Baharom in say “cannot”! And to underscore that point, they just arrested Uthayakumar, one of the organisers of the rally. And again there will be a protest in front of the Shah Alam IPD at 2.30pm about this arrest.
And me? I still don’t understand why Malaysian Indians have to engage the British…who came, saw, colonised, pillaged and after some noise by locals…left.
I still think the thing to be done is to change the existing ethnic Indian political representation in Malaysia.
Even if it means kicking out Samy, the loose cannon Sothinathan (who now wants to have a punch-out with a woman), the mousy deputy-waiting-in-the-wings, Palanivel and the entire MIC.
So there is meant to be a gathering of Indians at the British High Commission this weekend.
The Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf), which had begun a class action suit against the British government in August, is a grouping of individuals whose avowed goal is to fight for the rights of Hindus in Malaysia.
The main grievance of Hindraf (ostensibly) is that too many Hindu temples and shrines are being demolished in Malaysia and this is in contravention with the right to one’s own religious practices enshrined in the Constitution, pardon the pun.
I’ve reading of all that territorial fuss over what Malaysians call Pulau Batu Puteh and what Singaporeans refer to as Pedra Branca. It is the name for the same island, people, in case I’ve confused you already.
Though why Singapore, with its Chinese majority (therefore Mandarin-literate) and predominantly English-speaking population, would claim sovereignty over an island and insist on calling it Pedra Branca (which means White Rock in Portuguese), is beyond me.
The general elections are definitely near. The Election Commision plays coy with with statements like this and the habitually rude and obnoxious Backbenchers have started a shocking trend of apologising. Read the rest of this entry »
A worthy piece on the state of the law in Malaysia appeared today in The Star, courtesy of Prof Shaq Saleem Faruqi of UiTM. Read the full article here.
Some points to note from the column…
The role of the courts as guardians of the Constitution was discussed at the recently concluded Malaysian Law Conference. Speaker after speaker lamented that, barring a few exceptions, our judges have not honoured their oath to “preserve, protect and defend” the basic charter.
Why? Threat to their career/rice bowl? Read the rest of this entry »
I hear the Selangor government has placed a bulk order for penyapu (broom). Not to sweep clean the graft-ridden departments and agencies but to local authorities who failed assessment collection targets. Read the rest of this entry »
Apa raaaa!
There was an almost total blackout of the Yellow happenings in the city on Malaysia’s mainstream newspapers on Sunday. It was almost as if it was a minor skirmish. Like it didn’t happen.
But Monday (today) sees headlines like these.
The New Straits Times said “Don’t drag the King into this” Read the rest of this entry »
2007 saw the passing of two towering literary scions of America. First was Kurt Vonnegut who died earlier this year.
Two days ago, it was Norman Mailer’s time to meet his maker . The acid, unapologetic, sometimes downright mean but unabashedly honest writings of Mailer will live on in the concsiousness of millions who have read his words.
Read the news here. In his life, Mailer wrote dabbled in many areas of writing; as a playwright, novelist, journalist, screenwriter…and was even a director.
I came across his work rather late, but as a rather impressionable 20-something. But I did eventually and I must say I am the richer for it. Mailer had the gift (to me at least) of being able to yank away the blinkers that protected one from seeing life in its honest state; warts, blisters, festering sores and all.
That he did with the force of a cyclone that swept away all vestiges of innocence in its wake.
He will be missed.
Indeed it was. There was tremendous police presence, roadblocks everywhere in downtown Kuala Lumpur, and the blue-grey fatigues of the Federal Reserve Unit was a familiar sight everywhere you turn.
At the end of the day, it was just a bunch of Malaysians, who wanted to see their sovereign to raise their plight. But the executive used instruments of law and order to stop them from doing so.
I’m yellow today. Heheh…no, doesn’t mean that i’m a coward. I’m just wearing my yellow top a day earlier in kinship with the effort by the Bersih collective that’s organising the walk tomorrow.
Poster by Mob
I spent sometime reflecting on this peaceful march last night. This morning, I read my thoughts translated into Uncle Zorro’s hopes.
Yes, this is a peaceful march. We’re going to see the King of Malaysia, or if you prefer it, the Yang Di Pertuan Agong. We have a right. We are his subjects, and this is a constitutional democracy, last I checked.
I’m not a member of a political party. I was told that the Bersih coalition has some political party signees. I don’t care. I’m not affiliated with any of them.
I’m a voter. I can walk with my fellow Malaysians in a peace march to convey our thoughts and misgivings about the state of our country, to our ruler.
What else could we do? The mainstream doesn’t listen. The executive is sleeping. The judiciary is fixed or shall I say f*****? Who’s left then?
CID Chief Zulhasnan najib Baharuddin said there is no permit given for the Nov 10 rally? Not that the Bersih guys didn’t apply.
He said a non-governmental organisation sent in an application on Nov 3 for permission to hold the gathering but the application was rejected on Nov 6 by Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zulkarnain Abd Rahman.
He refused to elaborate on the reasons for the rejection. Earlier reports said that Parti Keadilan Rakyat was the main organiser of the rally. - The Star
What else do they do?
I just hope the Opposition party people who attend this gathering won’t hijack this for their own ends. This is to be a non-violent march.
No talk, just walk. The silent march alone will speak volumes.
Saturday. 3pm. Dataran Merdeka.
I want some changes for the better. Do you?
Pix from a talented Flicker member.
Tomorrow, Malaysians celebrate Deepavali, or these days, increasingly called Diwali.
Here’s the generally accepted rationale for this festival that Hindus around the world celebrate.As a Malaysian though, my Deepavali wish would be to bring the light to this country and its people.
The light of knowledge to the ignorant who continuously allow the unscrupulous to pillage the country.
The light of fairness and justice to prevail despite many attempts to ignore it.
The light of magnanimity so we can forgive the the ones who wronged us.
The light of realisation so that the sinners who manipulate Malaysia and Malaysians for their own gain would know what they have done.
The light of foresight that allows the powers that be to ensure long term plans that benefit the country.
The light of humanity to ensure kindness doesn’t become extinct and needless suffering is a thing of the past.
The light of patriotism that keeps the passion and love for this country alive in all Malaysians.
The light of unity that bring Malaysians of all colours, faiths, cultures together as one entity.
And most of all…THE LIGHT OF LOVE… so we Malaysians see and love each other as brothers of the same motherland.Happy Deepavali to all. Om Shanti !
Yeah…
The civil service people got a pay rise announced not too long ago. This no doubt brought a lot of relief to those honest people whose creative antics wasn’t featured in the Auditor General’s report (those who didn’t scam the state with bogus invoices and pocket the loot while cooking the books).
Clap Clap n all that. But you know what? The reality is quite dire. Things are much worse than what the spin doctors are telling you on your feel-good terrestrial TV and mainstream media.
Everything is going up. I mean prices, of course. What isn’t expensive these days, one Malaysian can very well ask another.
Flour prices went up, which has a cascading effect in all flour-based products from your roti canai to bagels, croissants, roti benggali, buns, sandwiches, noodles….you name it.
Pak Lah said there will be no fuel price hike this year. I repeat, 2007. There’s less than 2 months left of 2007. What happens come January? You thought that the unprecedented
price hike of 30 sen last year would mean we don’t have any more hikes for the next two years? You would be wrong.
Fuel prices are exceeding US90 per barrel. So brace yourselves, fellow Bolehsians, for another round of hikes. Rising fuel prices will push transportation costs and this in turn will have repercussions throughout the market.
In the meantime, your salary and mine are not soaring in tandem. Our purchasing power is being eroded steadily. From this report, some excerpts.
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd (MMHB) managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin looks at increasing prices differently.
“Undoubtedly, prices for almost everything are going up, but is anything wrong with that?”
He believes that if prices globally are increasing, there has to be a pass-through mechanism implemented by the Government.
“We cannot live in an isolated world. In this globalised economy, we cannot have a protected economy. - The Star
Yet shopping malls are springing up like cendawan lepas hujan in this country.
Who can afford more than window shopping these days in KL? The businessmen, the idle rich….the expats? The rest of us Malaysians will continue to be burdened by rising costs till one day it becomes susah mau cari makan.
This Mydin guy said something else worth thinking about.
He said the wages of Malaysians had also been artificially kept low.
Citing the example of his starting salary 26 years ago at RM1,400, Ameer Ali said: “Now, I am employing graduates at the same salary. There is something wrong here. In every other developed country, the minimum wage has increased by at least 100%.”
He said certain measures taken have helped the country in its early development stages.
“But we have to get out of this rut and become a consumption-based economy. When you increase wages, you can increase the price of flour or petrol. So, the person who now earns more is also paying more, but all subsidies have been removed.” - The Star
In the meantime, the government plots more ways to ensure we suffer, directly or indirectly. The highway concessionaires seem to have got us by our collective throats, and so, we ensure toll hikes almost every year, (especially KL-ites)
And while the scheming and plotting is going on, they get to do it in the luxurious confines of Palace of the Golden Horses. And Zulhasnan Rafique announces it without malu and segan.
WTF !?
It is unfair to judge our new Chief Justice-appointee based on his political background, says Nazri Aziz, the Malaysian “Minister of Judges”. Why is it unfair? Isn’t the nomination suspect from the beginning?
How many judges are there? On the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, hell even the High Court? You can’t pick one that has no overt political connections? And you, the ruling elite, think there is no crisis in the Judiciary?
RPK has some dirt that tells us why this guy is not really qualified to become the No 1 Judge in the country. The Chief Justice of Malaysia is in effect the Supreme Pontiff of Law and Justice as far as the country is concerned. Shouldn’t some standards be observed?
There are high standards that the judiciary elsewhere in the world, hold sacred and subscribe to. A judgeship must be free from taint, from suspicion of taint.
Read this Code of Conduct of United State Judges, especially its 7 Cannons.
After that, there are questions to be asked.
Is Zaki the best candidate? Isn’t the fast-tracking kinda suspect?
Is he still a member of UMNO? Can a judge be a member of a political party and be seen to be impartial?
What happened to seniority?
Why not Justice Richard Malanjum? I suggested his name because Justice Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mohamad (President of the Court of Appeal) is only one year younger than the outgoing CJ Ahmad Fairuz, who retired today by the way, despite wanting an extension.
Oh, but Richard Malanjum (a highly respected judge and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak) is not biddable and he is not Malay.
Why wasn’t any of the people in this list considered eligible. Hell, lots of them are senior enough. Why?
I’m not casting aspersions on Zaki himself. It is just that in this climate, wouldn’t this guy be yet another puppet in a puppetry series that went back years?
Where do we go for recourse? We, the little man-in-the-street.
