Another stroke of his pen, alienates a large group of men

I saw it coming when PM actually highlighted that the Hindraf representatives did not wish him Selamat Hari Raya but instead chanted 'Release the ISA detainees' and 'Abolish the ISA' repeatedly.

This was followed by DPM giving a speech somewhere and by the way, condemned the visit by Hindraf to PM’s open house and this segment was televised. There was a contradiction in unwelcome visit and open house. At the time, I was thinking 'he is burning bridges’ already.

The reaction from Susan Loone, for example, was ‘not yet in the position, so garang already’.

Now, it is official – that Hindraf has been declared illegal, according to this Star report:

Thursday October 16, 2008
Governemnt bans Hindraf for contravening Societies Act

KUALA LUMPUR: The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has been banned effective yesterday, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

In a statement yesterday, Syed Hamid said the decision to declare Hindraf illegal was made as a result of investigations by the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

“The ministry found the organisation’s activities contravened the Societies Act 1966 and if left unchecked, the organisation could pose a threat to public order, peace, security and morality in Malaysia,” he said, adding that even the sovereignty of the country and prevailing racial harmony would be jeopardised.

He made the declaration based on powers vested under Section 5(1) of the Societies Act.
Syed Hamid said Hindraf had the criteria of an organisation as it had filed an application to register with the ROS on Oct 16 last year.

Despite not getting approval, he said Hindraf had been organising illegal assemblies and inciting hatred among Malays and Indians.

“Hindraf also tried to get the support of foreign countries to pressure the Government to bow to its demands,” he said, adding that all these had affected the country’s image.

Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran said the decision was ridiculous and uncalled for, adding that he would move an emergency motion asking for an open debate in Parliament today.

“This is against the interest and aspirations of the Indian community that is seeking a more tolerant and fair Government,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had agreed to hold a dialogue with Hindraf leaders but “nothing was done”.

Hindraf national coordinator, R.S. Thanenthiran said the ban was unfair as they had not committed any crime or broken any laws, adding that Syed Hamid could have done this in retaliation to the police reports Hindraf supporters lodged against him.

Thanenthiran said Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy, who is in self-exile in Britain, had instructed coordinators to wait for a day before making further statements.

Coalition of Indian NGOs secretary-general Gunaraj George said that by banning Hindraf, Syed Hamid had rendered the Indian community voiceless, but said it would not dampen the spirit of its supporters.
“I know that their struggle will go on especially to free all those detained under the ISA.”

If we were to go by the book and strictly investigate organisations registered with the ROS, many would have to be de-registered and become illegal, though Hindraf’s case is different in that it has yet to be registered.

That we are going to experience a hardline approach from the soon-to-be PM is quite certain. With a Home Minister who is ever so ready to ‘abide by the law’, more people will be arrested for one reason or another, while the conventional law breakers like thieves, robbers, rapists, and murderers enjoy the lack of attention from the distracted police who are told to look out for people wearing Hindraf and RPK t-shirts.

Instead of ‘a branch of olive’ and inclusiveness, our powers that be have decided on using the ‘stick’ instead. This would effectively drive the movement underground.

I have seen many MIC members willingly joined the opposition parties sympathetic to their cause. The main difference, which is obvious, is the ‘willingness to pay expenses to take part’ compared with ‘being paid to take part’. At rallies, they risk their personal safety and freedom too.