Another Barisan Nasional leader broke ranks over the colossal rally, which drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indian Malaysians to the streets in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend.

The latest voice of internal dissent came from Gerakan's Dr Toh Kin Woon, who declared that he "disagreed with the country's leaders" on the issue.

Toh, who is Penang state executive councillor for economic planning, education, and human resources development, science, technology and innovation, is to date the highest-ranking BN politician to diverge from the ruling coalition's official stance on the rally.

Previously, MIC politician and Cameron Highlands MP K Devamany told the Dewan Rakyat that the rally reflected the failure of government policies to help the Indian community.

Devamany drew flak from his BN counterparts for this and is scheduled to meet Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is the coalition's chief whip, tomorrow to explain himself.

In a letter to Malaysiakini , Toh said the country had witnessed a series of protests over the past few months, the latest being the one organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

"These marches drew flak and condemnation from almost all BN leaders. Their criticisms centred on their illegality, potential threat to peace, the possible destablisation of the economy including frightening away foreign investors. I disagree with the views of our country's leaders.

"Instead of condemning, one would have thought and hoped that they should have been more concerned over the grievances, frustrations and disappointments that have brought so many thousands to the streets in the first place and to seek fair and just solutions to them," he noted.

The greater threat

Commenting further on the Hindraf rally, the veteran politician said the government must look into the grievances, frustrations and unhappiness of the lower strata of the Indian community and other communities pertaining to housing, education, health, jobs, equity and religious freedom.

"Until and unless these and many more issues concerning our country's judicial and electoral systems as well as social justice for the poor are looked into seriously and satisfactory solutions found, the discontent that brought thousands to the streets over several months will remain.

"To me, it is this discontent and unhappiness that will be a greater threat to our country's peace and stability, rather than marches, pickets and demonstrations," he added.

The outspoken politician pointed out that the key pillars of democracy must be put in place, including allowing peaceful marches to take place.

"Without these, no amount of coercion, including the threat to use the obnoxious Internal Security Act, can bring us the lasting peace and security that all Malaysians desire," he said in reference to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's threat yesterday to use the ISA against protestors.

Passive followers

Apart from this, Toh also expressed dissatisfaction with how BN leaders had criticised Devamany over his remarks.

"I find it extremely disturbing that a backbench BN MP who took a divergent stand on the Hindraf (rally) should be so severely rebuked and chastised by a couple of BN leaders. This clearly does not augur well at all for intra-BN democracy.

"The message sent seems to be that all BN elected representatives are expected to be meek and passive followers of the views of their leaders and that no space is provided for independent views, including those articulated by the larger civil society.

"I wonder how such a stance by the leaders can attract people who want to seek changes from within," he added.

Among others, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz had told Devamany to quit MIC if he felt that the government had failed the Indian community.

The Hindraf rally was held to support a lawsuit by Hindraf against Britain for bringing Indians to Malaysia as indentured labourers and exploiting them for 150 years.

The suit sought a declaration that the Reid Commission Report 1957 failed to incorporate the rights of the Indian community when Malaya was granted independence and this had allegedly resulted in discrimination and marginalisation to this day.

Police used tear gas and chemical-laced water to break-up the rally, which also saw scores of people being arrested.

Dr Toh's letter to Malaysiakini