Only a crazed and morally corrupt leader would suggest that members of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) were hoping the police would use force on them, to prove that the Malaysian government was brutal and autocratic.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak made the suggestion after scores of people were arrested in a dawn swoop on leaders and members of the Human Rights Party (HRP). Roadblocks were erected around Kuala Lumpur and the city centre was in ‘lockdown’ in a bid to stop the ‘anti-racism’ rally .