Following numerous failed attempts to lobby for the release of the five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), the movement is now embarked on a new campaign - to seek the intervention of the Malay rulers.

The civil rights movement, which is now operating under the 'Makkal Sakthi' (people power) banner since its ban in October, has declared its allegiance to the Malay rulers.

hindraf istana hinggap seremban petition event 211208 06 On Saturday the movement - backed by some 200 suppporters - attempted to submit its first petition to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Jaafar Tuanku Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan.

They however failed to hand over the memorandum to the palace officials.

According the movement's coordinator S Jayathas, the petition was instead given to a police officer as the authorities had ordered all those gathered at the palace gate to disperse.

hindraf istana hinggap seremban petition event 211208 09 "We were surprised with the heavy police presence at the palace...they gave us five minute to disperse and we left peacefully," he added.

"What we want to tell them (the rulers) is that the Malaysian Indians have never questioned the prerogative of the rulers and we want them to look at the continued marginalisation of the Malaysian Indians," said Jayathas.

"We hope through this, the issues of marginalisation would be addressed by the government as the rulers can exert some influence," he said.

Memo to be given to all sultans

hindraf istana hinggap seremban petition event 211208 04 Jayathas explained that they were "seeking the rulers' intervention" as the Barisan government was not willing to address and resolve issues pertaining to the minorities.

This endeavour came right after a four-day hunger strike last week to commemorate the arrest of five leaders - P Uthayakumar, M Monaharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasanthakumar.

They were arrested on Dec 13 last year for rallying a mass protest which saw some 30,000 people taking to the streets in Kuala Lumpur.

hindraf istana hinggap seremban petition event 211208 01 Prior to the hunger strike, the movement had employed every possible means - from attempts to meet with the king and the prime minster to the staging of candlelight vigils , among others, to free their leaders and seek equality for the Indian minority.

"We plan to meet with the sultans of every state but we have not set the time yet," said Jayathas adding that the idea to meet with rulers had come from the movement's leader P Wathamoorthy, who is presently base in the UK.