Hindraf - I Rest My Case!

I have received numerous feedbacks on the previous 2 articles. While some understood my rational in most of the comments made, many were understandably angry, not surprisingly they were my Indian Malaysian friends. Some even mentioned that I am a traitor for belittling their support and struggle for a fair and just society.

In the end, we have 5 People in jail, families struggling without the breadwinners and another group of people going around the country during various Pooja's and Yaagams to pray for the HINDRAF 5's release. The only people who benefited are the priest's who charges astronomical fees to conducts such prayers nowadays.

Although the government took notice of HINDRAF, they would have listened and done something if HINDRAF conducted their activities properly and sought peaceful means to achieve their objectives.

HINDRAF claims to be apolitical and said recently that they would support any political party that can assist them to achieve their objectives. Not much spoken about the fact that many of their member are also members of DAP and PKR . Anwar Ibrahim and all other Opposition Parties used HINDRAF's catch phrase "Makkal Sakhti' to the hilt during the recent general elections and even during the Permatang Pauh by-elections.

With opposition in power in 5 states, it should be payback time, I wonder why HINDRAF has yet to get in touch and seek assistance from the state governments of Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Kelantan and Penang. They claimed that the Barisan Nasional government and MIC were not sympathetic with their struggles and failed the Indian Malaysians.

If one carefully look at the demographics, if I’m not mistaken more than 50% of Indian Malaysians reside in Selangor, Perak and Penang while the rest are concentrated in Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Johor. If the HINDRAF seriously believes that Barisan Nasional cannot help their cause, why did they not bulldoze their way into offices of Chief Ministers of the opposition held states. Instead, HINDRAF are seen everywhere holding flag raising dinners and prayers.

Since most of their complaints and claims of victimisations are linked to availability and ownership of land for Tamil Schools and Hindu Temples, they should have by now won 50% of the battle since land matters are under the purview of state governments. They could have easily seized the moment as the opposition is in the mood of giving away almost everything for free to win popular support.

It was reported that the Perak state government have allocated hundreds of acres of land and annual allocation of funds for Chinese Schools (The Star 30th Aug,'1,000ha Land For Perak Independent Schools) since the Chinese School operators took the right step at the right time to reach out to the state government.

By now, HINDRAF should be crying 'Makkal Sakhti' in front of Perak State Governement's office and seek similar allocation of land and funds for Tamil School. Where are they?

If I'm not mistaken HINDRAF was holding a prayer (Yaagam - Fire Ritual) in Mantin on the same day (30th Aug) to mark "one year of the Hindraf class suit against UK government amounting USD 4 trillion for the neglect of its government during the Malaysia independence for the Indians whom were brought by British to Malaysia".

If HINDRAF seriously believe that criss-crossing the country in the hope for divine intervention will help, then HINDRAF should not have sent any memorandum, demonstrate, get 5 people arrested under ISA, several people injured and many wasting their annual leaves and unpaid leaves, not to mention creating nuisance for the general public. They should have just gathered at one place, a temple inside a cave perhaps and pray for divine intervention, and wait for the intervention to happen. Why waste other's time.

This is where HINDRAF fails. There are no strategies, no planning, no quick thinking (not to mention rational thinking) to achieve their objectives. The opportunities are there in the 5 states. They (political parties) made use of HINDRAF and now it should be HINDRAF's turn to make use of the state governments. In fact most of HINDRAF’s supporters are from the Opposition, mainly PKR and DAP. Majority of Indian Malaysians also voted for the opposition, even PAS, in the recent general elections.

This is where the Chinese associations are smart, they are well organised, not extreme, engages the government of the day to get what they wanted, quietly without making a big fuss. HINDRAF are good at making noise but end up an empty vessel.

Instead, we still see more and more plans for all kinds of rituals and prayers in the future. (see HINDRAF's link at the right panel for their schedule)

Of recent, it was also reported that HINDRAF has now split into several factions and their de-facto leader has gone on to accuse that one of the leader is actually a police special branch agent planted within HINDRAF to check on the movement's activities. By now the readers would realise that the government need not plant any spies within HINDRAF as there's nothing to spy on unless to check if the prayer rituals are equivalent to some cult or deviant practises. Even then, in Malaysia, Hindu's are quite free to start their own version of HINDU religion or even pray to a living person.

I was watching one of Tamil program on 10th September where a US trained Indian Malaysian Chef (from Paloh, Johor), who is now a food and beverage industry consultant was interviewed. This chap had served in many countries is now back in Malaysia as a consultant. He was asked on the prospects on Indians in the food and beverage industry
(Other than normal Indian Restaurants). He mentioned that no other countries provide opportunities for someone to start up a business with grants, funds and loan such as Tekun, Amanah Ikhtiar Fund, Bank Pembagunan etc available for start ups and reinvestment of businesses. Tony Fernandez of Air Asia also frequently mentioned that opportunities are plenty, we just need to find the right avenues (not connections) to grab it.

HINDRAF is nothing but a lost cause with some casualties of course. Indian Malaysians were and are being fooled by a group of lawyers who had no sense of direction whatsoever when they started the movement and even now, where they appear to be blind to opportunities in front of them.

Now, I sincerely, can only hope for a divine intervention to enlighten the Indian Malaysians and make them realise that they made to look and act foolish all this while by HINDRAF while others continue to progress by grabbing opportunities made available to everyone. Indian Malaysians image in the eyes of fellow citizens are at the lowest ebb, no thanks to HINDRAF and it will take years before it is reversed.