I refer to the Malaysiakini report Abdullah unperturbed by drop in popularity .

If the recent Merdeka Centre survey is any indication, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his BN are on a downward slide in the popularity polls.

The 91 percent popular support in 2004 and the downward slide to 42 percent presently is a forceful statement that clearly points to the eventual exit of the ruling government.

One would have expected BN to galvanise their resources and think tanks to address their mistakes and to try and win back the electorate that had abandoned them. But alas, instead they have remained arrogant and clearly have not changed their old habits.

Thinking they could once again fool the rural populace by crying out for Malay unity and playing the racist card, they must have been shocked when their courting was met with a rebuff from the Islamic PAS party.

Before the election, accusations were hurled at the Hindraf movement that they were a ‘terrorist’ organisation. The inspector-general of police even made a public condemnation that they had evidence to support their suspicions.

Now four months after the general election, the five Hindraf leaders remain incarcerated under the ISA and the earlier accusations of ‘terrorist connections’ seem to have evaporated. Yet, despite this glaring lack of evidence, the vengeful BN government - blaming their loss partly on the Hindraf movement - deems it fit to continue to detain the Hindraf five.

There is no doubt in the public’s mind that their continued incarceration is without merit and that the sole purpose of their detention is to punish them for their role in causing the BN to lose their two thirds majority and the five states to the opposition.

By the continued detention of the Hindraf leaders, the government is in a denial mode. The legitimate grievances of the Indian community articulated by the Hindraf movement are real and compelling.

Statistics will reveal a disproportionate number of crimes being committed by the Indians and remand centres and prisons will bear testimony to this serious problem. What is to be expected when government policies have abandoned them, neglecting to give them any aid or employment?

The only salvation offered to them was a life of crime which ultimately lands them in prison. Who can blame them? Every single one of them who committed a crime had a family to feed, parents to care for and a loving wife, all hoping the breadwinner will bring food to the table.

When all these fail, the only recourse is a life of crime.

The government cannot continue to fool the people on the pretext that the Hindraf leaders are supporting ‘terrorist’ activities. If there is any conscience left in them, they should search their hearts deeply and make the right decision.

If there is evidence of their culpability then charge them in a court of law, if not then free them. That is the least we expect of a government that seems to have lost its moral right to govern.