Hindraf commotion at govt’s Raya open house

Source TheStar

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 160 Hindraf supporters visited the annual Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house hosted by the Prime Minister and other Muslim Cabinet ministers, causing a short but loud commotion in the process.

Together with their children, some met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was given a teddy bear and a Hari Raya card by six-year-old W. Vwaishhnavi, the daughter of Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) chairman P. Waythamoorthy.

Waythamoorthy’s wife K. Shanti said the card contained a message asking Abdullah to release Hindraf Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees.

Waythamoorthy has been living in London since last December after his colleagues M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan and K. Vasanthakumar were detained under the ISA for organising a protest rally in November, 2007.

“Our message is that we want our heroes released. It is an open house and we can come as we want. During Hari Raya, you are supposed to ask for forgiveness.

“So we forgive Umno’s sins against the Indian community. We just want the detainees released,” said Shanti.

Clad in orange T-shirts, the supporters gathered outside the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) around 11am on Wednesday and joined the public queue at noon.

After about an hour, they were ushered into one of the dining halls but did not get to meet Abdullah.

“We are not here for the food and drinks. We want to pass a message to the Prime Minister,” said Shanti.

Undeterred, they exited and re-entered via the entry meant for VIPs, causing a loud commotion as security personnel tried to restrict them.

After 10 minutes, a compromise was reached and the group was allowed to join the public queue to greet the Prime Minister. They waited patiently and managed to pass the teddy bear and card to Abdullah at about 2pm.

Several Cabinet Ministers disapproved of the timing of the memorandum, saying that a Hari Raya open house was the wrong platform for it.

“This is not the time, this is not the correct venue. They can come to wish Selamat Hari Raya and shake hands, but the rest of it, different time, and different date.

“If they come in peace and harmony there shouldn’t be any problems,” said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said Hindraf members should have known their limits and not turn up at an open house “like this”.

“There are platforms for you to make your submission. This is not the proper way of doing things. I mean, it’s a Raya do. Today is Hari Raya, it’s got nothing to do with memorandums.

“This shouldn’t have happened like this, especially during this festive season, whether it’s Hari Raya, Christmas, Deepavali or Chinese New Year,” he said.

Tourism Minister Datuk Azalina Othman said such behaviour would reflect poorly on Malaysia’s image to tourists.

“If you are here as a guest, then behave as one. Parliament will convene on Oct 13. They can do so (submit their memorandum) then,” she said.