Malaysians Say The Darndest Things!

UMNO Respects Other Component Parties? April Fool’s Was Last Week

April 7, 2008

Trivia: Samy Vellu, Donald Lim, and Chang Ko Youn. What do they have in common?

Answers:
1. All 3 are from Barisan Nasional component parties. Samy Vellu is from MIC (like I needed to tell you that), Donald Lim is from MCA, and Chang Ko Youn is from Gerakan.
2. All 3 hold pretty important positions in their respective parties.
3. All 3 lost against their opponents in the 2008 General Elections.
4. Most importantly, all 3 of them have called for the release of the Hindraf 5.

Samy Vellu:

In a dramatic about-turn, MIC president S Samy Vellu today called for the release of the five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders held without trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The veteran politician said he will meet Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi soon to discuss this matter.

He also urged Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy - who is currently in London on self-exile - to return to the country and be reunited with his family, saying that the latter is not a political refugee.

Donald Lim:

MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai has called on the Home Minister to seriously consider freeing the five Hindraf leaders from ISA detention “if they are found not to be a threat to the country’s stability.”

Making this call to Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, he said releasing the five would show that the Government was democratic.

“It will show that the Government is open in its handling of issues affecting the people. This in turn will enable the Government to garner more support from the people,” he said.

Chang Ko Youn:

Gerakan wants the Government to release the five Hindraf (Hindu rights Action Force) leaders detained in Kamunting under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Gerakan National Legal Bureau chief Datuk Chang Ko Youn said the detention of the five leaders had create unnecessary tension and unhappiness, especially among advocates of democracy and human rights.

“We are seriously against any acts which prescribe detention without trial such as the ISA and Emergency Ordinance as they are against the cardinal principles and law, that is, each person is entitled to a fair trial and right to be heard,” he said Thursday.

He said detention without trial denied the right of an individual to answer any charges against him.

The calls to release the Hindraf 5 are coming from 3 of the biggest and most influential component parties in BN outside of UMNO.

And what does UMNO have to say about this?
Mohd Ali Rustam:

“Don’t use the issue for publicity simply because of wanting to get support during the coming MIC general assembly. (me: Referring to Samy Vellu)

“Prevention is better than cure and in this instance the Government acted in the best interest to safeguard national security,” he told reporters after opening the Malacca Biodiversity Expedition in Ayer Keroh yesterday.

Syed Hamid Albar:

“We cannot simply react to political parties’ calls. We have to give priority to public safety and peace and will give due consideration only if there is no threat to national security.”

Manoharan would not be able to attend state assembly sessions while under detention.

He could, however, take the oath as a state assemblyman at the detention camp as this had been done in the past, Syed Hamid said.

…

The detention of the five Hindraf leaders under the Internal Security Act will be reviewed as there is provision for it, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

He, however, said he did not know yet when the review period would be for the five who are under a two-year detention at the Kamunting detention camp.

He also said that he was not involved in the review. (me: Even though he is the bloody Home Minister!)

“Since I am not involved in the review, I will leave it to those responsible to make proposals (on their detention period) and only then can we take the necessary action,” he told reporters Friday at his office here.

Pak Lah:

*crickets chirping*

So what does this little episode tell you? Does it seem like UMNO is just ignoring the component parties grievances? If you didn’t believe it before, does the following graphic seem very fitting now?

I say, let’s not forget the 5 Hindraf men in ISA. The next time you are having a meal with your family, remember that 5 families will not be able to reunite and have a simple meal together.

It is up to you and I and all Malaysians who are against the ISA to protest against this injustice. Say a prayer, blog about it, write your assemblyperson a letter telling him/her to speak out against the ISA. Anything, just do something. This men deserve a fair trial. If there is insufficient evidence, then release them immediately.
Free the Hindraf 5!

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