I am writing in response to the UMNO vice president's comment, in which he urged the government to revoke the citizenship of HINDRAF leaders. The basis of his proposal is due to 'outrageous actions' made by the HINDRAF leaders, in view of last weekend's controversial demonstration in the city-centre.
While the government has vehemently denied Malaysia's involvement in ethnic cleansing, it seems to have made an unconvincing argument. In fact, the government has not constructed a strong defense against the claims made by HINDRAF such as, among other things, the marginalization of ethnic Indians, in terms of jobs, education and the economy; but more importantly, their basic human rights like freedom of religion has, time and time again, been infringed upon by the ruling government. Case in point would be the recent demolition of a 100 year old temple, where a video footage revealed the disgraceful and deplorable acts of the Malaysian police in evicting, subjugating and the subsequent arrest of these innocent temple devotees.
What's worst is that, not only has the government not disputed these allegations by responding accordingly with considered and civilized arguments, they have responded with nothing but threats. Threats like those above: revocation of citizenship, invoking the Internal Security Act, as well as, the prosecution of Indian protesters in a court of law, who were merely exercising their rights as citizens as enshrined under the constitution.
The acts of the Malaysian government does not only reflect and affirm their status as an 'electoral dictatorship', but that it holds no regard for the rule of law and constitutionalism. While Malaysia has constantly reiterated itself to be a democratic nation, their actions have proven otherwise. The assertion by the government that HINDRAF has broken the law can also be made to the government for not complying with Article 10 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, which allows for the freedom of assembly and speech.
Considering the point that the Malaysian government has conveniently chose to brush aside allegations by HINDRAF has only convinced ethnic Indians that they are insignificant since the government is unwilling to address their grievances despite the countless appeals made to them. If the domestic government is unwilling to listen, who can they turn to for help but foreign governments such as the United Kingdom and India, as well as international organizations like the United Nations? While critics contest that by doing so, they have 'betrayed their country' - but the fact of the matter is, the ruling government has already betrayed them for the past fifty years with their discriminatory policies and practices, and continues to betray them by not acknowledging the current adversities faced by ethnic Indians, who comprise of about 8% of the Malaysian population.
A final point to consider - if these allegations by HINDRAF are not true, why did the Cameron Highlands MIC MP K. Devamany make a sudden U-turn against the government in parliament last week? ;)
While the government has vehemently denied Malaysia's involvement in ethnic cleansing, it seems to have made an unconvincing argument. In fact, the government has not constructed a strong defense against the claims made by HINDRAF such as, among other things, the marginalization of ethnic Indians, in terms of jobs, education and the economy; but more importantly, their basic human rights like freedom of religion has, time and time again, been infringed upon by the ruling government. Case in point would be the recent demolition of a 100 year old temple, where a video footage revealed the disgraceful and deplorable acts of the Malaysian police in evicting, subjugating and the subsequent arrest of these innocent temple devotees.
What's worst is that, not only has the government not disputed these allegations by responding accordingly with considered and civilized arguments, they have responded with nothing but threats. Threats like those above: revocation of citizenship, invoking the Internal Security Act, as well as, the prosecution of Indian protesters in a court of law, who were merely exercising their rights as citizens as enshrined under the constitution.
The acts of the Malaysian government does not only reflect and affirm their status as an 'electoral dictatorship', but that it holds no regard for the rule of law and constitutionalism. While Malaysia has constantly reiterated itself to be a democratic nation, their actions have proven otherwise. The assertion by the government that HINDRAF has broken the law can also be made to the government for not complying with Article 10 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, which allows for the freedom of assembly and speech.
Considering the point that the Malaysian government has conveniently chose to brush aside allegations by HINDRAF has only convinced ethnic Indians that they are insignificant since the government is unwilling to address their grievances despite the countless appeals made to them. If the domestic government is unwilling to listen, who can they turn to for help but foreign governments such as the United Kingdom and India, as well as international organizations like the United Nations? While critics contest that by doing so, they have 'betrayed their country' - but the fact of the matter is, the ruling government has already betrayed them for the past fifty years with their discriminatory policies and practices, and continues to betray them by not acknowledging the current adversities faced by ethnic Indians, who comprise of about 8% of the Malaysian population.
A final point to consider - if these allegations by HINDRAF are not true, why did the Cameron Highlands MIC MP K. Devamany make a sudden U-turn against the government in parliament last week? ;)
