Declare clashes as national disaster, Prim urges gov't K Kabilan The yet-to-be registered Parti Reformasi Insan Malaysia (Prim) today requested the government to declare the recent racial clashes in Petaling Jaya Selatan as a national disaster and provide more financial aid for the victims.

Prim pro tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar said that the recent compassionate aid given to the affected families was insufficient.

"For the families to continue their lives, we hope the government will provide more financial assistance for them," said Uthayakumar in a letter to National Unity and Social Development minister Siti Zaharah Sulaiman.

On July 6, the government handed money amounting to RM163,000 to 47 victims of the clashes. The families of those who died received RM10,000 each while injured victims received between RM2,000 and RM3,000 each.

The violent clashes lasted for four days in Petaling Jaya Selatan since March 8, resulting in the death of six persons and 52 injured - almost all of them Indians. More than 600 police personnel were stationed at the affected areas to maintain order and peace.

The police arrested about 220 people who were believed to be involved in the clashes. Some have been brought to the courts to be charged for their involvement in the incident. Most of them claimed trial to offences under the 1958 Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act, 1967 Police Act and the Penal Code.

Monthly payments

Uthayakumar said on top of the financial aid given to the victims, the ministry should provide RM1,500 per month for every victim for one year from March 8 to pay for personal and medical expenses.

"For the pain and suffering of the victims, they must be given compensation ranging from RM350,000 and RM750,000 and for the families of the six who died, an amount of RM400,000 must be provided for the loss they had suffered," said Uthayakumar.

He also said that all victims must be given a free low-cost house each so that they will have a proper place to stay, instead of the squatter area they are in at present.

Prim has previously challenged MIC to deliver more aid to the victims of clashes rather than merely making empty promises.

Uthayakumar alleged that these promises were never kept, saying MIC should pressure the government to provide financial assistance to the victims.

Following his complaint, a compassionate aid was granted to the victims on July 6.

Personal touch

MIC president Samy Vellu, who was also present on that day with Siti Zaharah, said that he had personally done a lot for the victims.

"I have fought for higher payouts from the government and negotiated for low-cost houses," he said, adding that he was saddened that the victims had claimed the MIC had not done anything for them.

Samy also said the government has approved RM265,000 to be handed out to the victims and those whose properties were damaged during the clashes will also receive some aid later.

Racial clash victims need more financial aid, MIC told http://www.malaysiakini.com/News/2001/06/2001062808.php3 30 low-cost houses allocated for racial clashes victims http://www.malaysiakini.com/News/2001/06/2001061812.php3