The Centre for Independent Journalism is concerned about the recent decision by the home ministry to ban the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) movement which submitted its application for registration last October.

The banning decision was announced by Home Affairs Minister Syed Hamid Albar on Oct 15.

Despite the reasons given by the government, the decision is a setback to freedom of expression and will only send the signal that dissent is not tolerated.

Hindraf supporters have organised several gatherings to protest the Internal Security Act (ISA), in light of the detention of five of its leaders for two years at Kamunting. Its latest gathering on Sept 27 drew two thousand people and was also dedicated to blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin.

Thie visit to the prime minister's open house on Oct 3 for the Hari Raya celebrations came under heavy criticism by Utusan Malaysia and TV3 for their insistence on meeting the PM despite security control.

According to media reports, Syed Hamid Albar was quoted as saying that the ministry was satisfied with facts and evidence that showed Hindraf had and was being used for unlawful purposes and posed a threat to public order and morality.

The right to associate and expression is guaranteed under Article 10 of the federal constitution, albeit with restrictions through amendments passed over the years.

CIJ believes that the issues highlighted by Hindraf are genuine and reflect real socio-economic and political problems faced by a significant number of Indians in Malaysia. The government has failed to engage and respond to this group and to the issues they raised, which was one of the many reasons for the Barisan Nasional's limited success in the March 8 elections.

Banning the movement will not remove the frustrations and problems faced by the individuals, families and the community, especially when association is a fundamental human right.

The best way for the government is to engage the group and work towards a more open and participatory solution.

The writer is executive director, CIJ.