Between the government’s 'high handedness' and the 'inflammatory' statements by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), Malaysians should reject all forms of extremism and guard against the subversion of peace and harmony.

Pleading for the middle path, the Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) said the events that have unfolded over the past few weeks suggest a memory lapse on the part of both parties as to the folly of continuing along this path.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” said MPF chairperson Dr Mazeni Alwi, citing philosopher George Santayana, in a statement.

Pointing to the allegedly 'inflammatory and malicious' statements issued by Hindraf leaders such as P Uthayakumar, Mazeni said these were “calculated to incite racial and religious discord” and went against the rules of “civilized discourse”.

He also said MPF condemns “in no uncertain terms” the veiled threat of violence by some Hindraf leaders if the movement’s demands are not met.

In an interview with a Singaporean newspaper earlier this month, Uthayakumar was quoted as having said: “I've shown slides of monks (in Burma) getting shot and killed during my road shows and I think it struck a chord with the people.”

“I think it's quite unlikely we'll head down the path towards a civil war but there’s always that possibility,” he added.

Turning to the government, Mazeni said it had denied its citizens the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech.

This as well as the police’s “inappropriate” show of force only serves to demonstrate “an unduly autocratic political governance out of sync with the higher aspirations of the democratic process,” he added.

Treasure peace and harmony

Mazeni called on all Malaysians to “treasure the peace and harmony we have thus far enjoyed and protect it against all forms of subversive elements.”

MPF urged Hindraf to furnish the legal evidence for their alleged grouses and grievances and cease distorting and falsifying historical facts, he said.

The movement should also exhaust all the legal avenues within the Malaysian legal and judicial system to seek redress for being allegedly discriminated and marginalised, he added.

Meanwhile, he said the government should respect and honour the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Through the office of the inspector- general of police, it should not inflame matters further by its high handedness but instead observe due restraint.

The office of the Attorney-General should study the court action filed by Hindraf in the UK and to take the necessary preemptive steps relevant thereto, Dr Mazeni added.

In August this year, Hindraf leader P Waythamoorthy filed a suit against the British government at the Royal Court of Justice, London, for bringing Indians to Malaysia as indentured labourers and exploiting them for 150 years.

The suit also sought a declaration that the Reid Commission Report 1957 failed to incorporate the rights of the Indian community resulting in discrimination and marginalisation till this day.

The quantum being sought is US$4 trillion (RM14 trillion) - or US$2 million for every Indian currently residing in Malaysia.

Following the filing of the suit, Hindraf held nationwide roadshows explaining to the grassroots about the case.