Archive - 13 December 2007

Hindraf’s chairperson says that he would continue to lead the movement from London and urged his supporters not to let politicians hijack the movement.

exclusive In the video message recorded by Malaysiakini two weeks ago, P Uthayakumar tells Hindraf supporters to continue their struggle.

Some 40 supporters gathered outside the police headquarters following the arrest of five key Hindraf leaders.

Key opposition party DAP condemns the arrest of five Hindraf leaders and calls for their immediate release.

Civil society and opposition leaders remain united in their belief that the five Hindraf leaders should be tried in a court of law if they have committed any offence.

The five-member royal commission set up to probe the ‘VK Lingam’ video fails to get the thumbs-up from lawyers.

updated version The Ipoh Barat MP was of the view that it was not proper for the Speaker and his deputies to be in the chamber during debate over a bill to amend their salary.

The decision was made after the two individuals who were shot were charged in court for attempting to cause hurt to a police officer.

Abdullah also says that those who run down the country overseas and solicit support from outsiders are traitors.

However an observer doubts the effectiveness of this discussion since the more critical voices in the Indian community have been left out.

Both parties need more time to sort out documents after a minor mix-up involving documents.

The ‘inflammatory and malicious’ statements by Hindraf as well as the government’s ‘autocratic and high-handed’ response will bring us to the path of conflict, warns the Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF).

The opposition party said, however, that the police have been informed of the event to be held in Klang tonight.

updated version If passed by Parliament, it will cover all law enforcement agencies, not just the police - a major departure from the terms of the proposed police watchdog.

Crocodiles are becoming a menace in flood-hit southern Malaysia as the death toll from the floods rose to 13 and authorities struggled to cope with 33,000 evacuees.

The recent spate of street protests has hurt room bookings in Kuala Lumpur's main tourist district of Bukit Bintang, says Abdullah.

Those arrested are Hindraf legal adviser P Uthayakumar, lawyers M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan and V Ganabatirau and organising secretary T Vasantha Kumar.

A group of 48 Indian-based NGOs is therefore pooling resources to address the ‘serious’ plight of the community.

Spotlight in the media today is on the Haidar-led royal commission and worsening floods.

We want the world to see us as an example of multicultural living but we have really perfected the art of being an ethnocracy, complete with ethnic silos and hegemonic motives.

The government is capitalising on Hindraf’s more ‘extreme demands’ in order to shore support from the Malays, claims PSM pro-tem leader Dr D Jeyakumar.

Foreign Affairs Minister Syed Hamid Albar says Malaysia was merely applying its laws, under which police permits are required for public assemblies of five or more people.