A peaceful street demonstration is not a threat to national security . Malaysia would not be celebrating 50 years of independence were it not for street demonstrations. Peaceful street demonstrations are justified when legitimate change cannot be achieved through a corrupt system of government.

It is a democratic way for Indian Malaysians to demand change from a government that neglects minorities, fails to address economic neglect of the Indian community and fails to stop temple demolitions.

Peaceful street demonstrations are a democratic way of asking for change and to show the people’s power when ballot boxes fail. Democracy allows peaceful street demonstrations when the majority enjoys preferential treatment at the expense of the minority. Democracy was born out of street demonstrations in many countries. Only in Malaysia can a peaceful protest become a national security threat.

Let us analyse the phrase ‘national security’. Generally, the phrase refers to the requirement to maintain the survival of a country through the use of economic, military and political power. National security is about securing a country and its citizens against aggression and invasion, both foreign and domestic.

All Hindraf members are Malaysian citizens. Their aim is to make the government pay attention to the problems of Indian Malaysians. Hindraf’s demands does not threaten national security. On the contrary, national security would have been strengthened if Hindraf’s demands are resolved. But for the Malaysian government, national security is only synonymous to bumiputera and Umno’s security. This is why the ISA was used over the last 25 years to silence political opposition in the name of national security. In reality, it is about the security of bumiputera and Umno.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has just arrested Hindraf leaders . They will be out of the public and media eye for at least two years but they will not be forgotten. The prime minister may appear to have the upper hand now but this will be short-lived.

Every Nov 25, Indian Malaysians must remind Abdullah about Indians’ security. Indian Malaysians must tap Abdullah on the shoulder at the next general election and show him that the Indians’ votes are stronger than the ISA. Indian Malaysians must remind him that the changes we hoped for from him did not happen.