The banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has called on Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar to publicly apologise for his 'criminal was glorified as a hero' remark.

The movement also want the minister to quit immediately for proving yet again to be incompetent for the ministerial position.

suaram human rights award 091208 rs thanenthiran Hindraf coordinator RS Thanenthiran rebuked Syed Hamid for making a sweeping remark that Malaysians were glorifying criminals as heroes while demonising police.

Syed Hamid had made the remark yesterday following the mammoth funeral procession of car theft suspect Kugan Ananthan, 22, who died in police custody early last week.

"Syed Hamid should apologise for his outrageous remarks and resign as a minister immediately to save the Malaysian government from becoming a laughing stock in the international community.

"He has proved yet again of being incompetent for such a tough job," said Thanenthiran in Georgetown, Penang today.

Procession was an act of protest

Baffled by the minister's criticism, Thanenthiran chided Syed Hamid for 'misleading and misinforming' the public on the real reasons behind the funeral procession.

Kugan, who was arrested on Jan 15 in connection with several luxury car theft cases, died five days later at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya.

"Firstly Kugan has not been charged with any offence yet. Neither has he been found guilty by the court. He was only a suspect.

"Secondly, the people took part in his funeral procession to register their protests against the police brutality and violation of human rights.

"They were not glorifying anyone," said Thanenthiran, who was among those arrested by police yesterday at the funeral procession. He was later released.