The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rallied in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, 27 Feb 2011, to protest against the use of the novel Interlok in schools. However, the exercising of fundamental citizens’ rights in a democracy has been met with opposition, criticism and police action. Who are the people who would oppose and demonise freedom of assembly and expression?
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Bread and butter in Bagan Pinang
By Shanon ShahBread and butter issues (© Bruno Neves / sxc.hu) “IN Malaysia, we must vote for Barisan Nasional (BN); we have been voting for them for a long time,” says T Muniandy. “We help them by voting for them, and then they help us.” It is 6 Oct 2009, the fourth day of the Bagan Pinang […]
The furore over Hindu temples
By Deborah LohTHE cow head protest over the relocation of the Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu temple from Section 19 to Section 23 in Shah Alam shows, on one hand, the existence of racial and religious bigotry. But it also points to a deeper, more systemic neglect by town planners to adequately provide land for non-Muslim places of […]
“Pick right MIC candidates,” says Denison
PUTRAJAYA, 13 July 2009: The 1,400 delegates at the MIC general assembly in September must pick leaders who can win back the country’s 1.8 million Indian Malaysians into the Barisan Nasional (BN), said political analyst Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria. “This is most important. MIC politics is not just politics involving the MIC delegates. It is […]
Muthu makes peace with Samy Vellu
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 June 2009: After an unsuccessful bitter battle with Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu for the MIC presidency last March, former party vice-president Datuk M Muthupalaniappan has decided to make peace with the MIC supremo. Muthu has also called on Samy Vellu to continue leading the MIC. “On the request of many […]
Opportunity for BN in Bkt Selambau?
By Datuk Dr Denison JayasooriaTHE Hindraf movement captured the imagination of not only the Indian Malaysian community but all communities in Malaysia in their ability to mobilise mass protests against the Barisan Nasional (BN)-led government. This was reflected by a major swing against the BN and the MIC during the 12th general elections. At the heart of the matter […]
Bringing change to Bukit Selambau
By Shanon ShahDATUK S Ganesan likes to tout two things during his interviews: his past links with some Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) leaders, and his belief that he can bring positive change à la US President Barack Obama. Ganesan meeting a breakfast crowd on 27 Mar. When asked if he is campaigning, he says, “No, that’s […]
Support of Indian M’sian community important to cops
IPOH, 18 March 2009: The support of the Indian Malaysian community is important to the police although some in the community perceive the police force negatively. “If this negative perception is allowed to persist, it can stifle cooperation between the two parties,” said Perak police chief Datuk Zulkefli Abdullah. He said the police were concerned […]
The future of Hindraf
By Tricia YeohMORE than one year after Hindraf supporters stormed the streets of Kuala Lumpur, the question remains: has the plight of Indian Malaysians been successfully addressed? Despite Hindraf leaders taking the forefront in anti-ISA (Internal Security Act) vigils, making international headlines, and creating awareness, are Indian Malaysians any closer to achieving their goals than they were […]
Hindraf, one year on
By Zedeck Siew
THE Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) is arguably one of the most influential forces in Malaysia today. The non-governmental-organisation coalition brought the issue of Hindu temple demolition national attention, intensified outcry against laws of detention without trial, and was one of the deciding factors in the 12th general election. Its most famous slogan, Makkal Sakthi, […]
