Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy today challenged the government, specifically the main ruling party Umno, for a debate over the truth on the plight of the Indian community in this country.

He said this after the cabinet yesterday expressed its unhappiness over him for discrediting the government on its treatment of the Indian community.

He added that his recent report on the matter which highlighted continued marginalisation of the community was based on facts and figures, backed by researched news reports.

The report - Malaysian Indian Minority Report and Human Rights Violations 2008 - was distributed at the recently concluded Indian Diaspora Conference in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

hindraf waythamoorthy united nations un 220408 01 In the report, Waythamoorthy had, among others, alleged that one Hindu temple was demolished every week in Malaysia and that the government was committing atrocities against the Malaysian Indians.

He had also urged the Indian government to impose trade sanctions against Malaysia and terminate all projects in India given to Malaysia companies through tenders.

Yesterday Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam raised Waythamoorthy's attempts in discrediting Malaysia at the weekly cabinet meeting.

The ministers were upset over the matter and had asked MIC, of which Subramaniam is the secretary-general, to be pro-active and correct the wrong perception perpetuated by Waythamoorthy and Hindraf.

Do your duty, MIC

Responding to this today, Waythamoorthy who is in New Delhi to lobby for support for his movement, said the report was "purely factual but the cabinet is more concerned in its bigotry and self denial making rhetoric claims".

"If Umno disputes the report then I challenge them to have an open debate in these issues on a neutral ground, i.e. in the UK or the USA," said Waythamoorthy.

He said that the government, led by Umno, was relentlessly "obstinate and zealous" to shut out the grievances from the people.

He also said that the MIC should not remain silent but should stand up for the community.

"They should show their concerns for the systematic discrimination and marginalisation of the community and be a true representative of the society," he added.

Vote for Pas in KT

Waythamoorthy also urged the voters in Kuala Terengganu - especially the 500-odd Indian voters - to vote for the PAS candidate Abdul Wahid Endut in the by-election this Saturday.

"Hindraf would take a stand that to hold true for the sake of the Malaysian society, then the PAS candidate in Kuala Terengganu should be voted in and elected into Parliament.

"This is to show that we the minorities look to PAS as our brethren for an equal and fair society in Malaysia irrespective of our race, religion, following or creed for the goodwill of the nation.

"We urge all 523 Malaysian Indian voters in Kuala Terengganu to vote in the PAS candidate," he said.

He also added that Hindraf was not merely fighting for the rights of the Indian community but also for all marginalised segments of the Malaysian society, be it the Orang Asli or Dayaks.