By Syed Azwan Syed Ali Bernama
June 05, 2008
June 5 (Bernama) — Lobbying for international support for the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) by its chairman P. Waythamoorthy in the United Nations, India and Britain seems to have tarnished Malaysia’s image abroad more than it has done any good.
This development has raised a question. Where is the pressure group headed? Is it genuinely championing the interests of the country’s Indians, which it claims the government has marginalised, or taking up any other specific cause?
Undeniably, championing the rights and interests of any religion or community is a noble cause. In fact, such a struggle has never been prohibited in the country. However, in multiracial Malaysia, such efforts should be undertaken within certain boundaries. Several quarters interviewed by Bernama have expressed their views on the matter.
“He (Waythamoorthy) has to return from abroad to clarify matters. The best way is through negotiation and not confrontation,” Malaysian Indian Youth Council president A. Rajaratnam said.
He suggested that the government give the undertaking not to detain Waythamoorthy under the Internal Security Act (ISA) if the Hindraf leader agreed to return to Malaysia.