Waythamoorthy Told To Resolve Hindraf Issues At Home

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Bernama) -- Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairman P. Waythamoorthy, who is reported to be in London, has been urged to return home and stop seeking foreign support for its cause.

Malaysian Indian Youth Council president A. Rajaratnam said Waythamoorthy's effort would not solve problems but would instead tarnish the good name of the country.

"This is bad for the country. He has to come back," Rajaratnam told Bernama here Friday.

He was commenting on lawyer Waythamoorthy's effort in canvassing for support from the international community over Hindraf's cause and the arrest of five of its leaders under the Internal Security Act (ISA) since Dec 13 last year.

Hindraf leaders, namely lawyer and Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar (Waythamoorthy's brother), V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan and bank officer K.Vasantha are held under the ISA for organising a Hindraf street demonstration last Nov 25.

"He should return to face the truth. He had gone to the United Nations and Britain. The general election had been held and the Indian community had given their verdict, so he has to come home to correct the situation," said Rajaratnam.

He said Waythamoorthy should register Hindraf as a legitimate body if it was genuinely championing the rights and interests of the Indian community in the country.

"Now it is time to make peace and continue the struggle in a united society. Since Hindraf already has a voice in parliament, use the opportunity to raise the issues being championed," he said.

Suhakam commissioner and Social Strategic Foundation executive director Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria said Hindraf leaders would continue with their struggle if the goverment ignored its demands.

"The government must seriously look into the grievances of Hindraf and other groups, especially over the ISA issue. The government can't hide because we are now in a global world and we have many global institutions, such as Transparency International, monitoring the situation.

"On the economic grievances (of Indians), the government has taken action but the argument will remain unless we solve the issues completely," he said when contacted.

Malaysia Hindu Sangam Association president Datuk A. Vaithilingam said he believed the matter could be resolved at the negotiation table after MIC discussed the issues raised by Hindraf openly.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had called for the release of the Hindraf leaders but Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar responded that the government had no intention of doing that soon.

"This can be solved through discussions. We can ask the Malaysian High Commissioner to Britain to meet Waythamoorthy and discuss Hindraf's demands," said Vaithilingam.

However, Vaithilingam said it would be better for Waythamoorthy to return home to resolve the issues.

-- BERNAMA