Governemnt bans Hindraf for contravening Societies Act

Source TheStar

KUALA LUMPUR: The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has been banned effective yesterday, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

In a statement yesterday, Syed Hamid said the decision to declare Hindraf illegal was made as a result of investigations by the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

“The ministry found the organisation’s activities contravened the Societies Act 1966 and if left unchecked, the organisation could pose a threat to public order, peace, security and morality in Malaysia,” he said, adding that even the sovereignty of the country and prevailing racial harmony would be jeopardised.

He made the declaration based on powers vested under Section 5(1) of the Societies Act.

Syed Hamid said Hindraf had the criteria of an organisation as it had filed an application to register with the ROS on Oct 16 last year.

Despite not getting approval, he said Hindraf had been organising illegal assemblies and inciting hatred among Malays and Indians.

“Hindraf also tried to get the support of foreign countries to pressure the Government to bow to its demands,” he said, adding that all these had affected the country’s image.

Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran said the decision was ridiculous and uncalled for, adding that he would move an emergency motion asking for an open debate in Parliament today.

“This is against the interest and aspirations of the Indian community that is seeking a more tolerant and fair Government,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had agreed to hold a dialogue with Hindraf leaders but “nothing was done”.

Hindraf national coordinator, R.S. Thanenthiran said the ban was unfair as they had not committed any crime or broken any laws, adding that Syed Hamid could have done this in retaliation to the police reports Hindraf supporters lodged against him.

Thanenthiran said Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy, who is in self-exile in Britain, had instructed coordinators to wait for a day before making further statements.

Coalition of Indian NGOs secretary-general Gunaraj George said that by banning Hindraf, Syed Hamid had rendered the Indian community voiceless, but said it would not dampen the spirit of its supporters.

“I know that their struggle will go on especially to free all those detained under the ISA.”