I had met the Prime Minister at the beginning of the new Parliament after the 2004 general election to urge him to support the adoption of the parliamentary committee system, and although three select committees had been formed so far, it is most regrettable that a full committee system where every Ministry will be shadowed by a parliamentary select committee as well as the existence of select committees on specialist subjects have not yet come into being.
For the Parliamentary Select Committee on National Unity for which a six-month extension of time is being sought — it is essential that MPs are capable of subordinating their political, party and self-interest to the larger national interest if the national unity select committee is to make any meaningful contribution to nation building.
What happened in Parliament yesterday in the debate on my motion to cut the salary of Information Minister, Zainuddin Maidin is a case in point. MPs can agree or disagree as to whether Zainuddin had succeeded or failed in his task as Information Minister but when the Minister made irrelevant and baseless charges, accusing me of challenging the dignity of the Rulers and humiliating the Muslims for supporting Hindraf, it was the height of parliamentary and ministerial irresponsibility.
I know this is playing politics, but this is playing dirty and irresponsible politics subverting the higher national interest of promoting national unity in the country.
I had made it clear that I never agreed with the Hindraf accusation about “ethnic cleansing of Indians” or genocide and what I had consistently stood for is that the 30,000-strong Hindraf demonstration on November 25 was “a cry of desperation” by the Indians in Malaysia about their long-standing marginalization which must be addressed by the Cabinet and Parliament.
We can disagree and criticize the Hindraf leaders for making the allegations about ethnic cleansing and genocide, but the government must never lose sight of the central issue of the marginalization of the Malaysian Indians which brought Indians from all over the country to support the Hindraf demonstration, as they did not congregate in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 25 to support Hindraf on its allegations of ethnic cleansing or genocide but to make their cry for justice to end the marginalization for themselves, their children and children’s children heard loud and clear.
This is best expressed by a Malaysian Rhodes scholar currently studying in Oxford University, who did not fully agree with all the things said and done by Hindraf.
She said however that “it would be duplicitous” for her not to support Hindraf rally, adding:
“Because I, like many of you, know that that is not what this rally was about.
“It was about being neglected, about not having a seat at the table to bargain, about having a national and communal leadership that we do not trust and is utterly discreditable. It is about saying no to being the forgotten Indians, and not enough of us in our comfortable houses, those of us who managed to work the system to our benefit – stood with the other Indians, who are not so different from us.”
Have the cry of desperation of the Malaysian Indians about their marginalization been heard?
The Cabinet met yesterday but nothing has come out of it, as if the “cry of desperation” of the 30,000-strong Hindraf demonstration never existed. Parliament has failed to provide the forum where the cry of the Malaysians Indians for an end to their marginalization could be heard and acted upon.
MIC Cameron Highlands MP S.K. Devamany had tried to say something but he was slapped down and had to apologise and express his regret. MIC President and Cabinet Minister for over 28 years, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has denied that the Indians have been marginalized.
Penang Gerakan State Exco Dr. Toh Kin Woon had been the first to speak out outside Parliament, expressing his disagreement with the Barisan Nasional leadership and urging the government to listen to the cry of the Malaysian Indians in the Hindraf demonstration.
Why are there no Barisan Nasional MPs who dare to speak up for the Malaysian Indians in Parliament. What then is the use of the Barisan Nasional with over 91 per cent of parliamentary seats?
Is the Parliamentary Select Committee on National Unity prepared to address this problem of the marginalization of the Indians?
Its Chairman, Datuk Dr. Maximus Ongkili, has made most regrettable statements about the Hindraf demonstration.
Five days ago, Maximus said aggrieved communities should not resort to “illegal rallies” as there are other avenues they can use.
He said: “If you want to be heard, use legal means. If you use illegal means, your motives will appear suspicious.”
Is the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department stating a government policy stand that the cry of desperation of 30,000 Indians on behalf of two million Indians in Malaysia at the Hindraf demonstration will be completely ignored, purportedly for adopting “illegal means”.
Maximus went on: “You don’t resort to illegal means unless you have other intentions. In Hindraf’s case, they appeared bent on creating violence.”
He also accused the Hindraf with “the intention to disrupt the peace”.
I want to know whether Maximus is speaking on behalf of the members of the Parliamentary Select Committee and the Select Committee, and how the MIC member Dr. Nijhar (Subang) can be so spineless as not to express a squeak at such bias and prejudice on the Hindraf demonstration by his Chairman.
Do Maximus, MPs and the Cabinet realize that their criticism of the Hindraf leaders for their allegations of “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” can be no excuse to ignore cry of desperation of the 30,000 Indians who came from all over the country to join the Hindfraf demonstration on Nov. 25 not over “ethnic cleansing” or “genocide” but for an end to their political, economic, educational, social, cultural and religious marginalization?
A detached survey of the problem will show that it is the government and Barisan Nasional leadership who are responsible for creating the conditions for the biggest show-of-force of the Malaysian Indians in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 25 as a result of their increasing insensitivity to the plight of the Malaysian Indians as the new underclass.
There were three events which made Indians in Malaysia felt that they were being pushed against the wall in the long-standing marginalization of their citizenship status and that for the sake of their children and children’s children, they had to make their “cry of desperation” heard loud and clear in the Hindraf demonstration on Nov. 25.
These three incidents were:
(i) the arbitrary, high-handed and insensitive demolition of the of the Sri Mariamman Temple at Padang Jawa temple in Shah Alam a few days before Deepavali;
(ii) holding of Umno general assembly on Deepavali, the holy Hindu festival of the triump of good over evil; and
(iii) the insensitive public attack by the Umno Youth Deputy leader at the Umno General Assembly berating the Indian news vendors for going off on a national holiday resulting in no newspapers to carry the UMNO President speech of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi the previous day and his call on the government to restructure the newspaper supply chain to avoid it being monopolized by one race.
Now we have the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz publicly berating the marginalized Indians as “penyangak” (crooks) when he said:
“Some 20,000 penyangak (crooks) who participated in the rally would not jeopardize viewpoint of the entire community.”
Nazri is rubbing salt into the wounds of a marginalized community, the new underclass in the country. He should apologise for his general defamation of the Malaysian Indians, for the 30,000 Indians who rallied to the Hindraf demonstration have better claim to represent the two million Indians in Malaysia than MIC or the Barisan Nasional government.
(Opening speech on the National Unity Select Committee motion in Parliament on Thursday, 6th December 2007)
Malaysian court denies bail for 31 ethnic Indians
“We are not allowing bail,” Sessions Court judge Azima Omar told a packed courtroom. “The offences committed by the accused are serious,” she said.
http://news.sg.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1133423
Yes, since when cases represented by AG is lost? He is the super legal brain in town. Except for the alleged doctored photograph in the Pulau banca International court.
Nazri also said the 30,000 or so protestors (“crooks”) did not represent the entire Indian community. He supported and stood by the 2,000,000 “happy” Indians who did NOT participate in the 25/11 demonstration.
With 2 million “happy” and contended Indians, whats the problem? No problem, as far as the BN goes.
indian malaysia truly face marginalize, it is true!!!
Our politicians forget, that when they are voted into parliament, they do not just represent those who voted for them. They represent the whole constituency. It is just that in the race, the people have to choose 1 person to represent them. The choice of the majority gets voted into parliament. But once in parliament, they represent the whole constituency.
So, even if there is one person with a legitimate grouse, the MP has to listen. If the MPs stop listening to the the “minority”, then the option left to them is to take to the street to be heard.
Outspoken Umno politician Zaid Ibrahim has added his voice to critics in Barisan Nasional (BN) who have questioned the hardline stance against public rallies, as he suggested that the government is not listening to the people’s concerns.
He said the PM is going to get a new mandate and th PM should change or make a major overall in the cabinet and also to change some senior ministers the PM should go ahead.
refer http://www.malaysiakini.tv for video.
We all are so forgetful in many ways.
Even our politician forgotten who put them there in the first place.
They thought that they have paid enough for that seat in BN selection and were guaranteed of victory.
All these are very much true as EC have been put forward to ensure what’s coming out from each ballot are sure win to BN.
Do you all think that BN politicians need us here ?
When they pocket all the jobs in the university, when they pocket all the jobs in civil service, when they pocket all the contracts in the vicinity they will not know. “Smoke tell you a village is burning but who will see broken heart.” Indonesian Proverb.
The major problem is these Umnoputras can do no wrong.
The guilty can be innocent.
The corrupted seem to be clean.
Wrong can be right.
The day these people know how to govern the country with efficiency is the day for us to shout eureka!
Link: http://www.kingsmary.blogspot.com/
I think Maximus forgot that the Indians did go through the legal means to voice their concerns, but to no avail. What else is there to do when the BN don’t act on these concerns? What they do is that they sit on these concerns, but never address them. Now, when Indians go through “illegal” means, they get jailed for doing so. So, is that the Indians fault?
At this stage, shall it not be “the charges faced by the accused are serious”. ? Was there a translation error? Isn’t an accused is not guilty until proven? or has any of the accused already pleaded guilty? Just curious lah.
With her boss, The AG, wanting the court to refuse bail, the judge, his subordinate, has no right to refuse.
The AG was in court to intimidate the judge!!!!!
Now let’s see what The High Court will rule on appeal.
Well just watched TV3 news. Gov. using some Islamic Rights committee head to basically declared Hindraf as a terrorist group not for doing terrorist act as we know it inthe world. But for making statement highlighting the NEP unfairness.
They basically presented a propaganda to the Malays that attacking NEP is attacking Islam.
To know what the gov. is up too by continuing too demolish temples, please read http://www.malaysia-today.net/nuc2006/index.php?itemid=833
I’m very sad they are using people’s life and their religion just to win the election.
People spread the word, what gov is trying to do so they are not fooled by them.
dawsheng Says:
December 6th, 2007 at 18: 47.05
Malaysian court denies bail for 31 ethnic Indians…..
———————–
Now the whole world is watching how our government is taking one step further in bullying its helpless Indian citizens. I hope this will not backfire soon.
Anyway, what’s happening to Lingam; PKFZ and the Mongolian case? Attention diverted & diluted?
pkrisnin Says:
December 6th, 2007 at 21: 03.33
Well just watched TV3 news. Gov. using some Islamic Rights committee head to basically declared Hindraf as a terrorist group not for doing terrorist act as we know it inthe world. But for making statement highlighting the NEP unfairness.
—————-
Lets hope that PKR and PAS will lend a loud voice against this before the ruling government turns the whole thing into a Malay V the other races issue.
You know guys all the persecutors of humanity did not and cannot escape divine punishments, and retribution. We have read history on how the great evil pharoahs, the evil hitler, the plunderous mongols and other great plunderers and murderers have severely earned their fate for all the evil-doings to helpless human beings.
An Indian saying goes that ” out of ten curses, at least one curse would certainly come to effect” so lets wait and see.
The SLEEPING DRAGON HAS REARED IT’S HEAD AND IT IS ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICE-BERG.
So it is high time the BN government consisting of all the SANDIWARA ACTORS, come to their senses and read in between the lines and realise their shortchange and take corrective measures instead of talking about agression, treason, unpatrioticism,and all the other isms.
“When a public is faced with unconstitutional officials it becomes insecure. When the insecurity becomes high enough, they join any revolutionary force. When further oppression is leveled at them they revolt.
“The common answer of one of these governments is money handouts in an effort to buy support. It does not work.â€Â
The existence of a constitution does not guarantee a people a constitutional government.
Written or unwritten, constitutions usually set up the form of the government and guarantee the people certain rights.
Governments usually formulate them and point to them as evidence of their liberality. Often, to gain popular support, they add to them very worthwhile bills of rights guaranteeing individual freedom, trial by jury, confrontation of one’s accusers, freedom of religion and speech and other desirable features.
But the end product is a “con game†of wonderful scope.
The elected and appointed members of the government and their employees are all found to be “above the law.†They are not compelled in any real way to act within the constitution or a bill of rights.
The government’s departments and bureaus routinely act completely without regard to the constitution.
The Supreme Court exists to reverse government unconstitutionality. But one seldom reaches it with a case unless one has tens of thousands of dollars for legal fees, and even when one wins a Supreme Court decision, the government employee or bureau whose unconstitutional actions caused the trouble in the first place goes unpunished and unscathed.
Almost all the trouble in a country is the government through its employees acting in a thoroughly unconstitutional fashion.
This reacts on the public as a disbelief in the actual government and a disavowal of it.
As the government employees, elected or appointed, do not act within the framework of the constitution, the public thinks of them as frauds or conquerors and alien.
Revolutionary groups spring up. Any foreign enemy finds adherents. Criminals are protected by the public. No one goes near the police. And the final product is at best a revolt and at worse the death of a civilization.
The government “public servant†is supposed to act of, for and by the people in a democracy. But the public sees in him someone peculiarly exempt from law and a servant of only special interest groups.
The aspect of a government mouthing the constitution and yet acting as a superman caste undermines patriotism by defying belief. The public reacts to this untruth with defiance. More and more force is needed to control the population and at last there is a revolt or the nation degenerates and dies.
As the public cannot strike at the government individual who is acting in an unconstitutional manner, it strikes at the whole government. No government can afford even one tyrannous petty clerk much less unconstitutional behavior in all its departments.
Yet the existing government in all its executive departments spits on the Bill of Rights a thousand times a day. And executive orders defy them in an avalanche. These departments are actively at war with religion, freedom of speech and ordinary legal procedures to a degree that observing the Bill of Rights is a remarkable exception to their normal conduct.
The courts will accept no complaints or summonses for these “public servants,†they cannot be sued. There is no crime which they cannot commit with complete personal safety. And they control the bayonets and full force of the state and use it to serve themselves and their friends.
In gathering case histories of the unconstitutional conduct of these agencies one is overwhelmed with the volume of instances and feels the futility of even beginning to list them.
At state and county level abuses of power and violations of rights are so flagrant that few voices indeed dare raise themselves in protest.
National, state, county and city laws, reviewed against the Constitution present a spectacle of studied defiance. Illegal seizures of persons and property, detention without trial, are the common routine of officials.
Yet they wonder that the public does not support them actively but tends to withdraw in fear.
When a public is faced with unconstitutional officials it becomes insecure. When the insecurity becomes high enough, they join any revolutionary force. When further oppression is leveled at them they revolt.
The common answer of one of these governments is money handouts in an effort to buy support. It does not work.
Trying to remove all leaders or active people from the population by some unholy alliance with psychiatry, not only does not work, it accelerates the downfall of the state, involving as it does even more flagrant rights violations.
So many empires and nations have gone this routeâ€â€Rome, France, czarist Russia, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, etc., etc., etc., etc., and so many are furiously floundering down the same path that it is a wonder that men in government have not spotted their trouble.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ARE HONEST, DECENT PEOPLE BUT THEY ARE COMPELLED OFTEN AGAINST THEIR WILL TO ACT UNCONSTITUTIONALLY BY SOME OF THEIR LEADERS OR FELLOW EMPLOYEES WHO FLOUT THE RULES OF DECENCY IN THE NAME OF THE STATE.
Perhaps the taste of tyranny is so delicious and the sadism of despotism is such an addiction that even if they knew their lives depended utterly on becoming bound by and acting according to their constitutions and bills of rights, they still could not forego it.
The dope addict may know his vice is killing him. Yet he cannot end it. Possibly this is the case in unconstitutional bureaucracy.
Men go quite mad with power. And madmen commit suicide easily. In fact they never do anything else.
One wonders rather sadly why these fellows insist on committing suicide so expensively.
But democracy, republics, even monarchies will go on decaying and dyingâ€â€and killing the rest of usâ€â€until the government official is forced to act in all his acts within the framework of the constitution and all guarantees of individual rights.
One cannot perpetuate the monstrous untruth of a constitution and bill of rights guaranteeing security and liberty while the most powerful class in the land is superlaw and is in no way bound by it.
L. Ron Hubbard
Indirectly Kota Baru MP Zaid Ibrahim is telling our incompetent Prime Minister, shape up or ship out!
Banning peaceful walks and demonstrations, insisting that groups of 5 persons and above needs police permit, charging Hindraf demonstrators with “murder” and throwing them in jail, does not solve the problem. It has instead created more animosity and hatred for the BN government as General Election approaches.
The Indian community, neglected by MIC/Govt for half a century now, is in bad shape financially and economically and is pleading for help. The Prime minister should seriously look into this problem with utmost urgency.
Sorry, should read “attempted murder”
1st is attempted murder and now hindraf link with terrorist groups-
http://www5.malaysiakini.com/news/75760
Instead of helping & listening, they are BULLYING the Indians. I don’t think ordinary fair minded Malays will support the government on this.
Just when will they stop this diversion trick on the public away from Lingam, PKFZ, Mongolian & AG report etc…
One of the first recipients of the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (the highest award of gallantry in Malaysia) was Captain Mohana Chandran al Velayuthan (posthumously), from the Ranger Regiment.
In fact, the proportion of Mal Indian recipients of this award (Warrior of Extreme Valour, English Translation) is nearly 20%!
Malays? Only two, both posthumously and overseas.
“(Referring to the rally she said )..it was about being neglected, about not having a seat at the table to bargain, about having a national and communal leadership that we do not trust and is utterly discreditable. It is about saying no to being the forgotten Indians, and not enough of us in our comfortable houses, those of us who managed to work the system to our benefit – stood with the other Indians, who are not so different from us.â€Â
This is what she meant when she said:
“about not having a seat at the table to bargain†– Indians are under represented at the national level.
“about having a national and communal leadership that we do not trust and is utterly discreditable†– Samy Vellu, are you reading this? You and your cronies, take a hike.
“not enough of us in our comfortable houses, those of us who managed to work the system to our benefit†– not just the lack of housing and basic amenities for the poor among the Indians but insufficient number of Indians in government service, in both public and private sector.
“stood with the other Indians, who are not so different from us.â€Â
Tamil Hindus must unite with other ethnic minority Indians who share the same aspirations.
This is NOT what she meant:
Indians not having enough chairs to sit.
Samy Vellu wears a toupee.
Indians are not comfortable in their own houses.
(NOTE: a little humor does not hurt but in fact may take the sting off its emotional contents and make others listen).
etchnics cleansing is not true, marginalised is true.
http://2hard2lie.blogspot.com
see what bangkok post said
hey guys.. do you think our country will boycott the Beijing Olympic as the mascot is a PIGLET… haha… a cute piglet too..
Hahahaha a good one, I’d love to see what they’ll do. At most just censor the pig on Astro. You’d see see a blurry figure running around.
Screams of ‘ethnic cleansing†trivializes the issue of Indian marginalization. YB kit did right when he repeatedly distanced himself from the allegation of ethnic cleansing and genocide as unsubstantiated by the facts of history.
There have been attempts on this blog and elsewhere to broaden the definition of “ethnic cleansing†to lend credibility to the cause – but we all know ethnic cleansing when we see it. This exercise in semantics will only serve to distract us from the issue – which is the continued marginalization of an ethnic minority long ignored.
If at all it has helped BN leaders engaging in meaningless rhetoric to ridicule HINDRAF leaders, and among others to claim that the rally had nothing to do with ameliorating the living conditions of the Indians in estates and among the urban poor. Instead it bears the footprints of bankrupt opposition leaders who would not stop at anything to de-stabilize this government in view of the forthcoming general elections.
yup.. a piglet without the head in our tv…hahaha..
Poll: Malaysians most confident of their elections – The Star
…only 6% of Malaysians were dissatisfied.
have written to Gallup requesting them to clarify the news printed… I would think is only 6% of Malaysian were Sastisfied… twist and turn of the govt controlled media…
If there’s anyone Malaysian Indians want to blame he is Samy Vellu, if that is the case they must also blames themselves, so if Hindraf is for real then they should crush MIC first, not UMNO. That’s a priority!
Asking UMNO to take care of the Indians is like impossible, they can’t even take care of their own. There are more poor Malays than poor Indians and poor Chinese.
“He (Maximus, not of Gladiator fame) said: “If you want to be heard, use legal means. If you use illegal means, your motives will appear suspicious.â€Â
This is mere rhetoric. ‘A’ for Effort and ‘F’ for substance.
What did the Malays fear? The Chinese and the Indians. Why? The whole world is already full with Chinese and Indians.
The world then has more to fear – 2 billions Chinese (the last I counted) and some 1 billion Indians.
“There are more poor Malays than poor Indians and poor Chinese.” dawsheng
Fact or fiction? Sources?
If there are more Chinese and Indians in the world than in any other race, surely there are more poor Chinese and Indians than there are Malays.
March 15, 2000
Former Malaysian police chief Abdul Rahim Noor was sentenced to two months in jail and fined 2,000 ringgit by the Sessions Court for assaulting Anwar Ibrahim when he was handcuffed and blindfolded.
The prosecution reduced the charge to “voluntarily causing harm” under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum one-year jail term or a 2,000-ringgit fine.
December 6, 2007
The Shah Alam Sessions Court today denied bail to 31 Hindraf protesters charged with the attempted murder of a police officer. “We are not allowing bail, the offences committed by the accused are serious.” Judge Azimah Omar said
What conclusion can we draw from these 2 cases other than Selective Justice and Selective Prosecution?
Almost all the comments are not in favour of the gov’t. Wondering how many percent of the Malaysian population are light minded. May I venture a guess, Malay-35%Chinese-55%, Indian-65%, Sarawak-40% and
Sabah-60%. With this kind of senerio can the opposition win slightly more than one-third of the parliamentary seats? Don’t ever think of taking over the gov’t !! Not until after the next 50 years. Why? Think about it.
I rated Sabah 60%. Twenty years ago the ratio of Malays was 40%:Kadazandusun 40% and Chinese20%. Now it is 50%:35%:15%. Any comment from Sabah is welcome.
“If there are more Chinese and Indians in the world than in any other race, surely there are more poor Chinese and Indians than there are Malays.”
Yep, but those in Malaysia are especially poor in mentality. That’s why they are the poorest among all.
YB Lim,
May I ask for the definition of “ethnic cleansing”? Are we talking about Rwanda and Bosnia or the Nazi era in Germany?
Ethnic cleansing can take more subtle and refined form. Some 10 years ago, a prominent visitor visited the agric department HQ in Kuching. “Eh..ramai betul Cina disini!” Today, that “ramai” has been substantially reduced. Your DAP representatives could verify this.
Many Sarawak Chinese and Ibans there are scared of visiting the Government departments. They felt less welcome because of the unfamiliar faces they see. If this is not a form of cleansing, then what do we call this?
In the old days, Stephen Yong, Sim Kim Hong and Wong Soon Khai would stand to address this unequality. The present SUPP is a pale shadow of its former self. The Iban parties… they are worse off. Three main Iban political parties that never see eye to eye. Even the PRS, supposed to represent the Ibans, has two party presidents! That’s why Chinese and Ibans (the majority) are two easy preys to manipulate (by the minority) in Sarawak.
The good part: Kuching town is turning to DAP! Rumour is that in Sibu DAP is equally growing. YB Lim, don’t miss this momentum.
Testing…My postings from Kuching do not appear.
It have to a the same kind to bring down those forceful ones.
We are not here to create anything as GOD laready done everything for us.
Mankind are meant to destroy things and themselves eventually.
That’s written because all along we have been trying to be more than GOD in many ways.
All man rules are personally guarding someone interest and are not permannent. When the time comes, we just exchange seats.
We just have to go through these processes to learn and carry on.
Not to be too sad over what has been going on lately, GOD will lead a way soon.
YB Lim,
What is the definition of “ethinic clceansing?” Are we refering to Rhawanda or Bosnia or Germany of Nazi era?
Cleanisng takes many forms. The subtle cleansing happened 10 years ago when a big visitor came to Agri Departmet Kuching. “Eh.. apasal ramai Cina disini?” That “ramai is substantially reduced today. In fact many rural Ibans and Chinese are scared of visiting any government departments because of the unfamiliar faces and language. If that is not a form of cleansing, what do you call that?
Now I have a double posting! Anyway, more news from Kuching in the next few days. I hope to establish another deep throat there.
“Ethnic Cleansing”? ..first the denial, when we realise it, it’s always too late.
oknyua, how come the current CM of Sarawak can be there for hell of a donkey years? The ibans and chinese must be very happy, not manupilated!
Or, maybe their thinking must be like the majority of the chinese here …. “I can earn a living and no one disturb me so what? Damn the politicians”.
guys, I don’t necessarily agree with Hindraf’s approach on the issues they have raised..
However, the ‘ethnic cleansing’ statement has got me intrigued. Generally the term is perceived to involve genocide and a systematic elimination of a race/ethnicity.
but go to wikipedia and see that it actually has a very broad definition and there are many interpretations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_cleansing.
Looking at some of the statements there, it is not inconceivable to see what Hindraf is trying to get across. There are references to systems and policies, violation of human rights and humanitarian law.
Compare this with what we are facing today (with NEP and the unwritten laws in govt institutions), I would say it is quite consistent.
test
hmm..strange..my earlier comments did not appear..ok, re-post..
I do not necessarily agree with Hindraf’s approach on their cause. However, the issue of ethnic cleansing has got me intrigued.
Generally we associate the term with genocide and systematic violence to eliminate/exterminate a race/ethnicity.
But go to wikipedia and you’ll see that the definition can take on a broader base.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_cleansing
Going by the statements there, ethnic cleansing includes policies that are defined, violation of human and humanitarian laws.
Looking at NEP and all the unwritten laws in Govt institutions, I would say it is not inconceivable to see where Hindraf is coming from. We are all being systematically marginalized, not just indians…however, it is probably true that the indians are far more disadvantaged.
There is no ethnic cleansing and law suit. But these words will catch the whole world’s attention. It is a gimmick for cry of desperation. Otherwise, who bothers them? MIC?
OCsunny, I don’t want to sound rude, but I prefer not to answer your question through this blog. Anyway,than you for your question.
Action speak louder than words!
All Indians who feel that they are marginalised should stop work for 1 day on the 19 December to prove that it is not only the 30,000 who had demonstrated recently who felt that they are marginalised, but much more than that. In this way, no body is hurt except those who like to read the feel good gov. controlled newspapers may have to read YB Lim’s blog e.g. Zam and others.
Something is wrong. Some of my postings have been hijacked by none other than WordPress!
Malaysian politics is politics about margins, or of margins.
When BN wins it wins by a landslide i.e. a huge margin. When BN loses it is always by a small margin. Power sharing between political parties is about which party has the largest margin. When a constituency is dominated by constituents from one race, the question asked is by what margin? When MIC wins the Indian votes of a particular constituency, the question is what is the margin of error. When MIC loses it is about the margin-alization of the Indians.
With the Chinese it is always about margin trading.
That’s not all when you talk about the NEP it is also about who should have the greater slice of the economic pie – also about margins. What should be the equitable margin?
Meeting the PM would not yield any fruits because he has many people under him whom he has to take care of, for example removing his people of corruption.
He could not cleanse his downline otherwise he would be in trouble.
Group prayer is powerful. Ask the mighty God for justice and ask the mighty God to take care and be fair to the weak.
Every 20th American president died at White House due to curse from Red Indian. This is because the US government has not been fair to Red Indian community since the beginning of US.
Jimm said: Not to be too sad over what has been going on lately, GOD will lead a way soon.
Yes, but you have to ask/pray for it. If you don’t open your mouth to pray and cry out loud to the mighty God, He will not answer.
Group prayer is powerful. However, you must ask the right God who is the creator of this Universe who could heal sicked people and who could rewrite history.
The Red Indian had curse the US government few hundreds year ago. Every 20th US president died at White House because the US government has not been fair to the Red Indian community. Check and see.
I don’t understand why the government keep throwing about the terrorists activity at Hindraf!!! If they think by doing so will alarm the rakyat, I don’t think so. This problem has gone global now!! US is eyeing Msia and if there is anything about terrorism, then US will move in and interrogate. That will even be worse as the government can’t say no to US at all. So the BODOWI government should stop accusing unnecessary comments towards Hindraf instead stick with the issue! Remember Bush is all set to get rid of terrorism globally!! This is just like playing with fire!!!
Apartheid is an apartheid whether it is a negative way liked the South Africa in those old days or a positive way by UMNO government in Malaysia is practising currently.
Dont waste time on the “Parliamentary Select Committee on National Unity” lah. As long as one race and with majority in a country is having a written special right. All these national unity committees can throw into the dustbin lah.