Showing newest 30 of 60 posts from April 2009. Show older posts
For the last 10 months, gardener T Darma Kanu has been searching in vain for his two young sons after his wife left their home in Ipoh with them.
Three weeks ago, he received an affidavit dated April 1 stating that his wife, S Nalina Devi, had not only converted to Islam on Nov 21 last year, but had also converted the boys, aged six and five.
The documents sent by her lawyer included a Syariah Court order informing Darma to pay RM500 a month to Nalina for the children’s maintenance.
Darma, 38, who works for the Ipoh Municipal Council, told Malaysiakini that he has not seen his wife - now known as Nur Nalina Devi Abdullah - or the children since they left home on June 27 last year.
“I came home after work that night, but the house was empty. I called out for my wife but she was not there. All the things in the house were missing as well,” he recounted over the phone.
Neighbours later told him that his wife had hired a lorry to remove the household items.
He said she has not been in touch with him or even her own family since then. Although he had tried to contact her on her mobile phone, she did not answer the calls.
“I can't figure out why she left... we got married because we loved one another. She went off without saying anything. I just can't accept what had happened,” he said.
“My wife's family members are all supporting me because they don't know what came upon her to just take off like that.”
Darma said he reported her disappearance to the police, as he wanted to get his sons back. However, he claimed the police would not help on the ground that this was a family matter.
Settling custody matters
Last September, he filed an application in the Ipoh High Court, seeking access to and custody of his sons. He then sent a text message to his wife, asking if she wanted to be involved in a joint custody petition.
“At first she agreed. She called my lawyer and gave him an address... but when we went there to look for her, we found out that the place belonged to a man,” claimed Darma, saying he had reason to believe that it was someone who used to work with Nalina.
“The court proceedings went on as scheduled, but she never showed up. On Nov 21 last year, the High Court ruled that I could have interim access to my sons.”
Based on the affidavit, he realised that Nalina had converted to Islam with the boys that day.
“I suspect that she did so to escape her responsibilities to me, and so that she could stop me from seeing my children,” he said.
“She should not have done that. It is unfair to me... I too have a say as to what religion my children should be brought up in, until they are old enough to decide for themselves.”
Nonetheless, Darma said all he wants for now is to meet with his children, and to sort out other issues relating to his marital status later.
Although interim order was served on Nalina’s lawyer the same day it was issued by the court, Darma still has not seen the boys nor heard from his wife.
The case for permanent custody is scheduled to be heard in the High Court on May 20. Previous attempts to hold the hearing could not proceed because of Nalina’s absence.
When contacted today, Darma’s lawyer P Murali said Nalina’s case is being handled by the Legal Aid Bureau.
“When I asked why she wasn’t in court, they said she was in Johor Bahru with the children. When I asked for the address, they refused to divulge it even to the court. As such, the judge set a hearing date and ordered her to be present,” he said.
Should Nalina fail to respond to the subpoena for the upcoming hearing, said Murali, she could be cited for contempt and a warrant of arrest may be issued.
He also claimed that, although her lawyers had been present in court on all the mention dates, no one had informed Darma or the court of Nalina’s religious status.
This was only revealed when the affidavit arrived. In it, Nalina said she wanted the civil court to grant her permanent custody, since the Syariah Court hads already done so on Nov 27, 2008.
A member of Nalina’s legal team reserved comment when contacted, saying she would first have to refer the matter to her superior.
Veteran journalist and Jana Sakthi Tamil weekly editor P Veerasamy's house was vandalised early yesterday morning. Also damaged was his daughter's car which was parked in the house compound.
In a police report lodged yesterday evening, Veerasamy said some unknown persons splashed red paint on his daughter's car and on the front portion of his house - the gates, the porch and the door.
Veerasamy, who is better known by his pen name 'Tamil Mani', said his daughter first discovered the damage caused by the paint after she got ready to leave for work at about 6.30am yesterday.
"We think whoever who did this came sometime after midnight, maybe around three o'clock or four o'clock, as my children were still up watching television at 12.30am," he said.
And he thinks the dirty work could be done by MIC president S Samy Vellu or his son Vell Paari through their henchmen as a result of his latest article in Jana Sakthi which hit the streets early this week.
The article was an open letter penned by Veerasamy to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak urging the latter to sack all MIC representatives in the cabinet.
He also urged the premier to throw MIC out of Barisan Nasional as the party was besieged with allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
Veerasamy told Malaysiakini that Samy Vellu and his son could have been distressed by the article and the unwanted paint job could be a veiled threat. He said he now feared for his life.
"This is not the first time I have been attacked. In 1988, someone splashed acid on me and I was warded for 28 days.
"And in 1996, after I attended a meeting in Penang, I was slashed by someone and required 118 stitches," he said in his police report, once again alluding to his belief that the attacks came from someone within MIC.
He also said that Jana Sakthi had reported on various misdeeds in MIC and had even lodged reports against Samy Vellu and Vell Paari with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Vell Paari: Work of a 'desperate man'
When contacted for comment, Vell Paari denied any knowledge of the red paint incident.
"I don't read Jana Sakthi and I don't know what he has written about my father and me. I just came back from overseas on Monday night.
"But if you say it is about sacking MIC from BN, let me tell you that he has written worse things about our family," he said.
"We have not done anything to him. This looks like a desperate attempt by a person who is an opposition supporter," he added.
He also noted that red paint was usually splashed by moneylenders on the premises of delinquent borrowers.
"So instead of blaming us, he should be looking for those from whom he had borrowed money."
Vell Paari (left) said he was not shocked by Veerasamy's writings on Samy Vellu and his family.
"About seven months ago, he was admitted to the heart institute (IJN) for surgery and his family called me for money.
"I then asked for about RM20,000 from my father and deposited this money into his daughter's account. You can ask him about this.
"Even then he was writing bad things about us," he added.
Samy Vellu could not be contacted for comment.
For the last 10 months, gardener T Darma Kanu has been searching in vain for his two young sons after his wife left their home in Ipoh with them.
Three weeks ago, he received an affidavit dated April 1 stating that his wife, S Nalina Devi, had not only converted to Islam on Nov 21 last year, but had also converted the boys, aged six and five.
The documents sent by her lawyer included a Syariah Court order informing Darma to pay RM500 a month to Nalina for the children’s maintenance.
Darma, 38, who works for the Ipoh Municipal Council, told Malaysiakini that he has not seen his wife - now known as Nur Nalina Devi Abdullah - or the children since they left home on June 27 last year.
“I came home after work that night, but the house was empty. I called out for my wife but she was not there. All the things in the house were missing as well,” he recounted over the phone.
Neighbours later told him that his wife had hired a lorry to remove the household items.
He said she has not been in touch with him or even her own family since then. Although he had tried to contact her on her mobile phone, she did not answer the calls.
“I can't figure out why she left... we got married because we loved one another. She went off without saying anything. I just can't accept what had happened,” he said.
“My wife's family members are all supporting me because they don't know what came upon her to just take off like that.”
Darma said he reported her disappearance to the police, as he wanted to get his sons back. However, he claimed the police would not help on the ground that this was a family matter.
Settling custody matters
Last September, he filed an application in the Ipoh High Court, seeking access to and custody of his sons. He then sent a text message to his wife, asking if she wanted to be involved in a joint custody petition.
“At first she agreed. She called my lawyer and gave him an address... but when we went there to look for her, we found out that the place belonged to a man,” claimed Darma, saying he had reason to believe that it was someone who used to work with Nalina.
“The court proceedings went on as scheduled, but she never showed up. On Nov 21 last year, the High Court ruled that I could have interim access to my sons.”
Based on the affidavit, he realised that Nalina had converted to Islam with the boys that day.
“I suspect that she did so to escape her responsibilities to me, and so that she could stop me from seeing my children,” he said.
“She should not have done that. It is unfair to me... I too have a say as to what religion my children should be brought up in, until they are old enough to decide for themselves.”
Nonetheless, Darma said all he wants for now is to meet with his children, and to sort out other issues relating to his marital status later.
Although interim order was served on Nalina’s lawyer the same day it was issued by the court, Darma still has not seen the boys nor heard from his wife.
The case for permanent custody is scheduled to be heard in the High Court on May 20. Previous attempts to hold the hearing could not proceed because of Nalina’s absence.
When contacted today, Darma’s lawyer P Murali said Nalina’s case is being handled by the Legal Aid Bureau.
“When I asked why she wasn’t in court, they said she was in Johor Bahru with the children. When I asked for the address, they refused to divulge it even to the court. As such, the judge set a hearing date and ordered her to be present,” he said.
Should Nalina fail to respond to the subpoena for the upcoming hearing, said Murali, she could be cited for contempt and a warrant of arrest may be issued.
He also claimed that, although her lawyers had been present in court on all the mention dates, no one had informed Darma or the court of Nalina’s religious status.
This was only revealed when the affidavit arrived. In it, Nalina said she wanted the civil court to grant her permanent custody, since the Syariah Court hads already done so on Nov 27, 2008.
A member of Nalina’s legal team reserved comment when contacted, saying she would first have to refer the matter to her superior.
PAS vice-president Husam Musa has given his clearest signal yet regarding his intention to challenge incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa for the party's No 2 post.
"If PAS' direction is clear and there are no doubts about Umno's relationship with PAS, (then there will be) no reason for me to contest," Husam told reporters after visiting the Pengkalan Chepa Industrial Area (II) in Kelantan.
"But today, I feel that this direction is not clear and there are still doubts about the relationship (between PAS and Umno)."
Husam said he wants to determine why the grassroots have nominated him for the post and will be contacting heads of the divisions that gave him the nominations.
He has already received the minimum of two nominations required to run for the post and is expected to pick up the bulk of the nominations from the 14 PAS divisions in Kelantan, where he is based.
Thus far, vice-president Mohamad Sabu had been the only one to have confirmed his intention to contest for the deputy president's post, which Nasharuddin has held for two consecutive terms.
No self absorption
Husam's candidacy has generated much interest due to the so-called fight between the ‘pro-Pakatan Rakyat' faction which Husam is aligned to, versus the ‘pro-muzakarah' faction, linked to Nasharuddin (right), which wants closer ties with Umno.
Party leaders however have rubbished the existence of such factions and claimed that the labels were concocted by their political rivals to split the party.
Talks about factionalism gripping PAS began when delegates engaged in heated debates during the party general assembly last year, over clandestine talks between certain portions of the party leadership with Umno counterparts.
According to Bernama, Husam also said that he would consider several factors before deciding on contesting, namely: the wishes of party members, reasons for him to contest and the approach PAS would take in the 13th general election.
"As a rule, I don't like to promote myself (in order to be elected) for any posts, except when the party needs me to do so," he said.
He stressed that any decisions he would make would be in the best interest of the party which was more important than personal interest.
The PAS annual meeting - and party elections - is scheduled to be held from June 3 to 7 in Shah Alam, Selangor
PUTRAJAYA: Comments by MIC leaders were taken more seriously 10 to 15 years ago when the party was seen as the sole representative of Malaysian Indians and enjoyed the support of about 90% of the community.
“Now that the Indians are divided into several political parties, questions are sometimes raised whether the views we present are that of the whole community or just a portion of it.
“This sometimes reduces the impact of the statements we make,” said MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam yesterday.
He said he agreed with PPP supreme council member T. Murugiah’s statement that too many parties representing the community could only have a negative impact on efforts to champion the community’s struggles.
Dr Subramaniam said it was necessary for Indians to be under one umbrella for a stronger voice.
After a month-long disappearance from public view, former Penang deputy chief minister 1 Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin made a surprise appearance tonight at the announcement of the PKR candidate for the Penanti by-election.
The ever-smiling Mohammad Fairus arrived at Yayasan Aman together with PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim and president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
He was given a rousing welcome by Pakatan Rakyat leaders and supporters when he entered the hall and walked to the stage.
Once on the stage, he shook hands and hugged Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and state executive councillors Chow KonYeow and Phee Boon Poh.
He was immediately given the microphone and he delivered a brief but sharp speech.
"I have gone through hell and have come back. Now I know who are my friends and foes," he told more than 1,000 PKR supporters in the packed hall.
He hit out at his detractors for not only conspiring to bring about his downfall but also for spreading rumours questioning his honesty, sincerity, commitment and loyalty to the struggle of PKR and Pakatan.
"My public appearance tonight has surely proved otherwise. The rumour mongers merely spread lies to tarnish my image and credibility.
"No matter what the rumour mongers spread, here I am to demonstrate my commitment and loyalty to PKR and Pakatan," he said.
Fairus resigned as DCM 1 and relinquished his state portfolios effective April 8 after he was embroiled in a graft investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
People conspire but God decides
Local boy Fairus, who quit his Penanti seat on April 16, was alleged to have accepted bribes to allow illegal quarry operations on Penang mainland.
MACC has since cleared Fairus from all graft allegations.
"This shows no matter how hard the conspirators tried to destroy me, the truth prevailed. People can always conspire and plot, but only God decides," he said.
Anwar later praised Fairus for being a gentleman and for his resilience in facing and overcoming all challenges during this trying times, including attempts by certain quarters to buy him over to the "other side"’
"He gave them a kick and a chop," he said of Fairus, a silat exponent.
He explained that Fairus needed to step down to take a temporary political break "to smoothen a rough situation".
Anwar said he had left it to Fairus’ discretion to decide whether to sue those who had plotted to bring him down.
Fairus has already threatened to file civil suits against his detractors for plotting his ouster from the Pakatan state government.
He plans to help Pakatan campaign for a big win in the Penanti by-election and then leave the country for a while.
Former academician and PKR state deputy leader 58-year-old Mansor Othman (MCPXpic below) will be the party candidate for the Penanti by-election next month.
This was announced by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to a crowd of more than 1,000 people packed into Yayasan Aman, Penanti tonight.
Among Pakatan Rakyat leaders present were Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, PKR national president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, state PKR chief and Bayan Baru parliamentarian MP Zahrain Mohd Hashim, state DAP chairperson and state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow and former deputy chief minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.
Since the seat fell vacant after its incumbent representative Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin resigned on April 16, speculations were rife that Mansor was PKR supremo Anwar’s pick for the contest.
Mansor, a former professor from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), was Anwar’s political secretary when the parliamentary opposition leader was the deputy prime minister in the Barisan Nasional government.
"He earned a Masters degree from USM and a Masters in Arts and a Masters in Philosophy in Yale University," said Anwar in introducing Mansor to party supporters.
Mansor, who is PKR Balik Pulau division chief, is also the party's Penang deputy chief.
"He has served in PKR's supreme council for 10 years and also served as the national deputy director of elections. In addition, he has served me honourably and with distinction as political secretary to the deputy prime minister from 1996 to 1998," added Anwar.
The Penanti by-election was called by the Election Commission when Fairus resigned as the elected representative.
Polling day will be Sunday, May 31
Earlier on April 8, he resigned as deputy chief minister 1 and executive councillor after he was embroiled in a graft allegation linking him to quarry operations on Penang’s mainland.
He has since been cleared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) from all allegations.
Last weekend, Fairus reiterated his stand to resign from Penanti, prompting the EC to call for a by-election. Polls will be on Sunday, May 31 and nomination falls on Saturday, May 23.
The "Fairus" lesson has prompted Anwar to pick "a politically-strong Penang-based party senior leader" to contest Penanti.
Mansor is a highly-respected figure within PKR circle and could not be bullied by rivals as in the case of Mohammad Fairus, who was young, inexperienced and lacked political maturity.
Apparently Anwar needs Dr Mansor to put order in the state PKR, which currently is being hit by factionalism.
Anwar has earlier hinted that the PKR candidate for the Penanti by-election will be the highly likely nominee for vacant deputy chief minister and exco positions in the Pakatan Rakyat Penang government.
The posts, which included one of the two chief ministers positions, are part of PKR’s quota in the DAP-led state government.
Anwar said the by-election was unavoidable because PKR had to choose a capable leader who can work closely with the chief minister and contribute efficiently to the state administration.
The PKR leader’s stand dashes any lingering hopes harboured by current state executive councillor and Batu Maung assemblyperson Abdul Malik Abdul Kassim to succeed Fairus.
However, Mansor has a black mark in his CV, a history of losing streaks in general elections.
Hopes to end unwanted record
He lost to Zain Omar in the Balik Pulau parliamentary duel in 1999, to Ariff Shah Omar Shah in Seberang Jaya state seat contest in 2004 and to Muhammad Farid Saad by 294 in Pulau Betong state constituency.
He hopes to end the unwanted record and stripped off his loser’s tag with a win in the Penanti by-election.
On paper, PKR looks favourite to retain the seat. Even the Umno leadership recently hinted the party may not field a candidate.
Penanti comes under Anwar’s Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency – a PKR stronghold.
In the Permatang Pauh by-election last August, Penanti voters gave Anwar a thumping majority of 3,276.
PKR’s Abdul Rahman Abdul Kadir won the state seat in 1999 before losing it to Permatang Pauh Umno chief Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid in 2004. He in turn lost to Mohammad Fairus last year.
First-timer Mohammad Fairus took the seat with a majority of 2,219. He polled 7,346 votes against Abdul Jalil's 5,127.
"Even though it is in Permatang Pauh, our stronghold, we shall not be complacent, arrogant and take things for granted. We must work harder to achieve a big win," said the PKR leader.
Anwar also called on Lim to consider Mansor, if he wins Penanti, as PKR nominee for the DCM post.
Mansor, a former university student leader, could have been Anwar's original choice to be the state DCM 1. But it did not materialise due to his electoral defeat in Pulau Betong.
Penanti will be the sixth by-election since the March 8 general election, five of which were snatched by Pakatan Rakyat.
Lim earlier reaffirmed DAP’s commitment to ensuring a PKR's victory in the by-election and called on Penanti voters to teach another lesson yet again to Umno and Barisan Nasional.
Zahrain reminded party supporters to protect the pride of the party and Anwar, and ensure victory as Penanti comes under the "PKR political bastion".
And Mansor has said he is up to the challenge.
The Federal Court has been tasked to determine the validity of the conversion of children of a civil marriage into Islam by one parent without the consent and knowledge of the non-converted parent.
The Court of Appeal today referred the Shamala-Ridwan custodial rights case to the Federal Court for determination of five constitutional questions.
The apex court will have to adjudicate on conflicting Islamic and civil laws governing conversion and family matters and also on the Federal Constitution, including on equality and freedom of religion.
One of the questions posed to the Federal Court was whether the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993 which gives rights to a converted parent to convert his or her children from civil marriage without the knowledge and consent of the other parent, is inconsistent with the Guardianship of Infants Act 1961.
The amended Guardianship of Infants Act gives equal rights to a mother and father on the upbringing and custody of their children.
Justice Abdull Hamid Embong led a three-member panel in arriving at the unanimous decision to refer the case to the Federal Court. The other judges were Justice Hassan Lah and Justice Abdul Malik Ishak.
Abdull Hamid also ruled no order as to costs and that the matter can be referred back to the appellate court on further instructions to dispose the contempt of court order issued on the couple either by the Syariah High Court or the High Court.
The answer to the question at the apex court would determine to fate of all ongoing conversion cases involving children, which had been a source of thorn between Muslims and non-Muslims alike, after the conversion of one of the spouse.
The pending decision of the Federal Court is also significant in the face of a recent cabinet decision that a child will maintain his or her original faith of the parents during the civil marriage and would not have to follow the religion of the converted parent.
Converted without knowledge
Shamala, 37, married Jeyaganesh, 41, in 1998 according to Hindu rites and their marriage was registered under the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976.
In 2002, four years after the marriage, Jeyaganesh embraced Islam and subsequently converted Saktiwaran and Theiviswaran, who were then aged three and two, to Islam without Shamala's knowledge and consent.
Shamala, who now has custody of the two boys, was also ordered not to teach them her religious beliefs or to make them eat pork.
Despite the fortnightly visitation rights granted to Jeyaganesh by the civil High Court in 2004, he claimed he had not seen his two boys for the past five years.
The application to refer the constitutional questions to the court was with the consent of Jeyaganesh, whose Muslim name is Muhammad Ridzwan Mogarajah, and the Federal Territory Islamic Council.
The five questions
The five questions put to the Federal Court are:-
1. Whether Section 95 (b) of the Administration of Islamic Law is ultra-vires Article 12 (4) (which states that there shall not be discrimination against any citizen) and Article 8 of the Federal Constitution (that all persons are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection of the law).
2. Whether Section 95 (b) of the Administration of Islamic Law, as state law, is by reason of Article 75 of the Federal Constitution, inconsistent with a Federal law, namely, Section 5 (1) of the Guardianship of Infants Act and therefore invalid.
3. In the context of Article 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution (which gives exclusive jurisdiction to the syariah court on Islamic matters), where a custody order is made by syariah court or the high court, on the basis that it has jurisdiction to do so, whether there is jurisdiction for the other court to make a conflicting order.
4. Where there has been a conversion of the children of a civil marriage into Islam by one parent without the consent of the other parent, whether the rights of remedy under Part II of the Federal Constitution of the non-Muslim parent is vested in the High Court.
5. Whether in the context of Articles 8, 11, 12 (4) and 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution, the Syariah Court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine the validity of conversion of a minor into Islam once the minor has been registered by the Registrar of Muallafs (Majlis Agama Islam).
A team of lawyers led by CV Das represented Shamala while Muralee Menon appeared for Jeyaganesh, and Azmi Md Rais and Zulkifli Che Yong for the Islamic council.
Penang PKR deputy chief Dr Mansor Othman is expected to be named as the party's candidate for the upcoming Penanti by-election on May 31 in Penang.
Mansor, 56, is a former university lecturer and student leader. He also served as Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary during his tenure as deputy premier.
It is learnt that the announcement will be made by Anwar tomorrow night in Penanti.
Party insiders said that Mansor is now almost certain to be the party's candidate after he was not chosen as PKR's nominee as a senator by the state assembly today.
That position went to PKR state secretary Mustafa Kamil, who was approved by the Penang state assembly as a senator from PKR.
If selected, Mansor, largely seen as Anwar's favourite candidate for the Penanti by-election, would also assume the vacant deputy chief minister post if he wins the by-election.
"As it stands, Mansor is the PKR candidate for Penanti barring any last minute accident," said a source close to Mansor.
Defeated narrowly in 2008
In the 2008 general election, Mansor contested for the Pulau Betong state seat but lost by 294 votes to Umno's Muhammad Farid Saad.
He was Anwar's original choice to be the state deputy chief minister but had to forgo it to Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin as a result of this defeat.
Penanti will be the sixth by-election since the March 8 general election, five of which were snatched by Pakatan Rakyat.
The coming battle for the state seat - located under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency - is also expected to be won by Pakatan.
However, Barisan Nasional has yet to decide if it will contest. The decision will be made by the Umno political bureau soon.
Permatang Pauh is considered the fortress of Anwar who is the incumbent parliamentarian there.
The Penanti seat fell vacant following the resignation of former Penang deputy chief minister I Mohamad Fairus.
Five thousand missing persons posters have been printed to help find Muslim convert, K Patmanathan, and his one-year-old daughter Prasana Diksa.
Last week, the Ipoh High Court granted M Indira Ghandi the custody of all her three children, who were converted by their father without her knowledge on April 12, pending the full custody hearing on May 12.
As the older children – Tevi Darsiny, 12 and Karan Dinesh, 11 – were in the care of their mother from the beginning, the court ordered that the youngest child which is in her father's care to be returned to the mother.
However, despite the court order to return the toddler, the father, who has since the conversion assumed the name Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, has gone missing.
According to Indira, the police had informed her that they visited Mohd Ridzuan’s mother's house to look for the child, who was said to be in her grandmother's care, on Friday but return empty-handed.
“They have not taken the initiative to do anything else to look for him... I am only worried about my baby, I don't how she is doing as she is so young,” said Indira.
Indira told Malaysiakini that after the court had given the interim order, her husband telephoned her.
“He complained that what I am doing to get my children back as they were, before they were brought into this confusion, is giving him problems,” said Indira.
Indira also said her husband informed her that he was leaving for Singapore with their youngest child and will not return her to the mother despite the court order.
“So with the help of DAP and Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS), we have printed posters with the photo of Mohd Ridzuan and my baby Prasana,” she said.
Refused to accept the Syariah Court order
The life of the Hindu mother took a turn for the worst after discovering that her husband, had converted to Islam last month and converted their children without her knowledge and consent.
Mohd Ridzuan also took custody of the youngest child without getting a mutual agreement and obtained a Syariah Court order to gain custody of his two older children.
In a recent exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, she also claimed that her husband had converted their two older children without their presence and by using their birth certificates.
Indira has sought refuge with a relative in fear that Islamic officials would take the two children away since her husband has a Syariah Court order giving him custody of the children.
However, Indira has refused to accept the Syariah Court order.
Since then, Indira has approached various religious civil society groups to pressure the government to take a firm stand on conversion issues.
Her lawyer, M Kulasegaran, when contacted, informed that they need to serve the court order on Mohd Ridzuan, as the case was to start on May 12.
“Patmanathan (Mohd Ridzuan) is aware of the court order as he had spoken to Indira after the interim order was obtained on Friday.
“In fact, he told Indira that he is taking the child to Singapore with him. We have duly informed the police who have said all border posts have been informed to prevent him leaving the country,” said Kulasegaran, who is also the DAP Ipoh Barat member of parliament.
“Somehow I have a feeling he is hiding in Ipoh and (he) is trying to avoid service of court documents... We had requested the police assistance to print posters of Patmanathan last week but it has not taken place to date,” stated Kulasegaran in his blog.
A test of Najib's 'Performance Now' motto
DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang, in his blog entry said that the efficiency of the government agencies in relation to the conversion case is putting to test new Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's “Performance Now” motto.
“Yesterday, I had asked the Ipoh police officers how much longer must Indira wait before the police could discover the baby’s whereabouts and return her to the mother.
“I told them that it would reflect very poorly on the capabilities and performance of the Ipoh police if they could not find the baby girl and return her immediately to her mother,” he exclaimed.
He hinted that Najib should take note of the observation made by Indonesian Islamic scholar and former foreign minister, Dr Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab who was in Malaysia a few days ago, that issues of “forced conversion of children to Islam are unknown in Indonesia, while in Malaysia, it has been allowed to be an increasingly polarising factor in race and religious relations”.
“Forced conversions of children is a most unhealthy phenomenon which should not be continued if Najib is serious about another motto of his philosophy, 1Malaysia,” said Lim.
KLANG: Hindraf leader P. Waythamoorthy wants a have a dialogue with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The chairman of the outlawed group, who is in self-exile in London, says he was prepared to meet Najib to outline the grouses that had pushed Hindraf to mobilise members of the Indian community to a protest rally on Nov 25, 2007.
“It is timely for the prime minister and the government of the day to engage Hindraf and the Makkal Sakthi movement in a dialogue to discuss ways and means to tackle the various problems afflicting the Indian community in Malaysia,” said Waythamoorthy.
He added that Hindraf and the Makkal Sakthi movement had always been open to initiating an open and honest discussion with the relevant authorities to help solve the socio-economic ills plaguing the Indian community.
“Given that Najib is propagating his 1Malaysia philosophy, solving the Malaysian Indian problem must be made a top priority,” said Waythamoorthy, who is recovering from heart surgery.
He added that he was keen to put forward to Najib the movement’s 18-point demand including the need for all Tamil schools in the country to be made fully-aided entities.
Currently, Tamil schools are only partially-aided and this has resulted in students having to make do with ramshackled structures for classrooms.
“We are willing to work with the current government to ensure that the interests of the Indian community are taken care off,” said Waythamoorthy.
Waythamoorthy, who spearheaded the movement with his elder brother Uthayakumar, who is now detained under the Internal Security Act, recently reshaped Hindraf into a non-governmental organisation to tackle the various socio-economic problems faced by Indians.
He has also insisted in maintaining Hindraf as a non-political entity.
Malaysiakini:The much protested row of public toilets located opposite the Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu temple in Klang will be converted into a souvenir shop.
The decision was made yesterday by the Tourism Ministry which had funded construction of the toilets. The decision was communicated to the parties involved by ministry secretary-general Dr Ong Hong Peng.
The ministry also said it was in the process of identifying alternative locations where the toilets could be built.
This marks the end of a squabble between the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) and a group of local NGOs led by the Shah Bandaraya MIC division chairperson KP Samy who opposed the location of the toilets, it being smack in front of the temple.
"I am satisfied with the ministry's decision for the time being. Our request has been fulfilled," said Samy when contacted by Malaysiakini today.
In addition to being located right opposite the famous temple, the toilets were also within the vicinity of a mosque and two churches, prompting objections by local residents who also felt that the location was inappropriate.
Tourist attractions
Samy had last week led a group of 80 shop-owners in submitting a protest letter to both the King and MPK and had threatened to hold a protest if the project had been continued.
He claimed that a small group of NGO members and PKR supporters had staged a demonstration at the area on April 20 to protest against the project.
When the matter blew up, Selangor exco member Xavier Jayakumar remarked that the issue was being exploited by Samy (left) to gain publicity for himself.
He insisted that the toilets would be built and completed on schedule and remain where they were.
Samy today lamented that the issue had been viewed as a political one.
"It should not have mattered which party I am from. The decision to protest against the project took into account of the feelings of the different religions involved," he said.
The Sri Maha Mariamman temple together with the other places of worship are all located in Tengku Kelana - also fondly known as ‘Little India' and is a popular tourist attraction.
The government said today it will ban parents from secretly converting children, in a move to cool disputes that have strained race relations in the multicultural country.
The government acted after a furore erupted over the case of an ethnic Indian woman who faced losing custody of her three children after her estranged husband converted them to Islam without her consent.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz, part of a high-level team charged with tackling the divisive issue, said the law would be changed so that children's conversions would not be allowed without both parents' consent.
"The cabinet decided that when it comes to issues of conversion of the spouse... the religion in which the children should be brought up must be in accordance to the common religion at the time of marriage," he told reporters.
Malaysiakini:Conversion rows, including "body-snatching" cases in which Islamic authorities have battled with relatives over the remains of people whose religion is disputed, are common in Muslim-majority Malaysia.
The tussles have led to allegations that the country is being "Islamised" and that the rights of ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities are being eroded.
"We have to resolve this once and for all," Nazri said. "We have decided on a long-term solution because we expect many more cases will occur."
Conversions will no longer be retrospective
Malaysia has a dual-track legal system, with the civil courts and the sharia religious courts operating side by side. Non-Muslims say they do not get a fair hearing when family law cases end up in religious courts.
Nazri also said that conversions will no longer be retrospective, meaning that people could not use a change in religion to escape alimony and custody rulings ordered by a civil court.
"At present, once a person converts to Islam, Islamic law is applied retroactively so he is not liable for many demands that he was originally liable for under civil law," he said.
Nazri said the attorney-general will review the civil laws that needed to be amended, but that any change to Islamic law would have to be discussed with the sultans of Malaysia's states, who are the guardians of the religion.
A Vaithilingam, the head of Malaysia's multi-faith association, applauded the move by Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was sworn into power earlier this month with promises of wide-ranging reforms.
"It is a very good beginning as the recognition that a child will remain in his or her original faith despite the conversion of one parent is a welcome move," he told AFP.
"I see this as the beginning of the prime minister's attempt to try and reunite the various races and improve relations among Malaysians, and non-Muslims are very hopeful about this."
An embattled Hindu wife whose three children were MCPXconverted to Islam by her estranged husband is seeking the intervention of the Conference of Malay Rulers to solve the matter.
She would be seeking the rulers' help through the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) which said today that it would approach the rulers to help solve the predicament of the mother, M Indira Ghandi (below).
Council president A Vaithilingam said the council would be writing to the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal requesting that the Conference of Malay Rulers intervene in this particular case.
"The rulers are responsible for the religion of Islam in their respective states and the king is responsible for the country.
"As we are all their subjects, so we call upon the rulers to see that there is justice and fair play for all of us," he said.
The inter-religion affairs council - which held a two-hour meeting this morning with 35-year-old Indira - expressed their disappointment with act of the Syariah Court in Perak which granted custody of her three children to her husband without her knowledge.
"The children were born to a couple married under civil law, therefore until the civil court has decided on a divorce, if there is one and on alimony and custody, the children cannot be converted," said Vaithilingam.
"The conversion of the children, to us, is illegal as we believe that all those who are below 18 years of age should be allowed to decided on their faith only when they old enough," he added.
Children's schooling affected
Indira's plight came about after her husband, K Patmanathan, 40, converted to Islam without her knowledge on March 11 and kept it a secret until an argument between the two exposed the matter.
In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, Indira recounted how her husband had snatched their one-year-old toddler Prasana Diksa from her during the heated argument.
She said he then fled along with a bag containing the birth certificates of their two older children, Tevi Darsiny, 12, and Karan Dinesh, 11, as well as documents pertaining to her educational qualifications.
Indira claimed that her husband, who has since assumed the name Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, had then converted the three children on April 12 without their presence and using only their birth certificates.
Her husband then attempted to pass her the Syariah Court notice granting him custody of the two older children but failed as Indira refused it accept it. The two older children are staying with Indira.
Redzuan had then sent the notice to the children's school and succeeded in halting Indira's efforts to transfer the two older children to another school.
"The way things are going, I don't know if this (case) is going to be the last," lamented Vaithilingam (above right).
"Indira is living a nightmare and she is in fear as she is expecting them (the Islamic Affairs Department officials) to take her children away from her," he said.
‘Promised so many times'
When the issue hit headlines last week, the cabinet appointed a five-minister committee to find an amicable solution as there are no clear guidelines under the law pertaining to the conversion to Islam of minors born in a civil marriage.
The ministers tasked to look for a long-term solution are Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Koh Tsu Koon (Unity), Jamil Khir Baharom (Islamic Affairs) and Nazri Abdul Aziz (Law and Parliament) as well as Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Jalil.
Vaithilingam, who met the five ministers yesterday, said they told him that they were sympathetic to Indira's predicament and gave their assurance that it would be solved soon.
"But this assurance has yet to materialise [...] we don't want to reconvene again with another man or woman who has become another victim," said Vaithilingam.
He reiterated the MCCBCHST was not against Islam but stressed that the conversion process should be more stringent in tandem with the reform of existing family laws.
"We were promised so many times that there would be reforms to family laws to ensure that such a situation will not reoccur. Yet here we are again [...] no attempts have been made to make the changes although there has been a lot of talk of reform," said Vaithilingam.
He said grey areas under the law dealing with conversion should have been resolved ever since the controversy following the death of famous mountaineer M Moorthy, popularly known as 'Everest Moorthy', who was buried with Muslim rites despite his family's claim that he had not converted.
The council appealed for a quick resolution to the Indira case as the pressure had taken a heavy toll on the young family.
"Frankly, since the council had been formed in 1983, we have achieved very little," said Vaithilingam, adding that he hoped that Indira's youngest child, who is with her father, would be reunited with the mother.
The government has lifted the 30 percent bumiputera equity rule for 27 service sectors involving health and social services, tourism, transport, business, computer and related services.
"The liberalisation of the services sector is pursued with the view of creating a conducive business environment to attract investments, technologies and higher value employment opportunities," Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak told journalists.
He said the government would progressively be liberalising the other service sub-sectors on an on-going basis.
With today's announcement, businesses in the 27 service industries will no longer have to be 30 percent owned by bumiputera.
The rule is part of the New Economic Policy (NEP), launched after 1969 racial riots, in an effort to narrow the wealth gap between Malays and non-Malays.
Critics say the policy has failed and that its biggest beneficiaries have been Malay entrepreneurs who cash in on an array of perks including discounts on property purchases and specially allocated government projects.
"The liberalisation of the services sector is pursued with the view of creating a conducive business environment to attract investments, technology and to create higher value employment opportunities," Najib said.
"These efforts are expected to enhance the level of competitiveness of the services sector in the country," he said in a statement.
'More politically correct'
Wan Suhaimi Saidi, an analyst at Kenanga Investment Bank, said the move was a response to criticism that the bumiputera policy is making Malaysia more uncompetitive even as it slides towards recession during the global downturn.
"The move is clearly about relaxing the equity conditions that have been a bone of contention among some investors," he said.
"Eliminating the 30 percent bumiputera equity requirement in these service sub-sectors is good for the market as it will encourage investment in a more politically correct way."
Under the measure, up to five international law firms will also be allowed to offer services relating to Islamic finance.
The government wants the Muslim-majority country to become a global hub for Islamic banking
Malaysiakini:Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Najib Abdul Razak "has to clear his name" over the allegations of corruption and links with to the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder.
He however accused the foreign media of "demonising" new prime minister by raising such allegations, which continue to circulate despite the lack of any evidence linking Najib with wrongdoing.
"Najib can expect to hear more of this kind of demonisation from the foreign press but it is what Malaysians think that counts. It is with them that Najib has to clear his name," said Mahathir in a blog posting.
Najib was sworn in earlier this month after his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was forced to stand down, partly due to relentless criticism from Mahathir, who led the country for two decades until 2003.
Najib has hit out at accusations that he will be a hardline leader and has been forced to deny having an affair with 28-year-old Mongolian woman Altantuya, who was murdered in 2006.
"The Western press launched a concerted effort to demonise the new prime minister. From France to Britain to Australia, the articles are identical and carried the same message," lamented Mahathir.
"The incoming PM is said to be corrupt and involved in a murder case. The Australian writer says Malaysia is a 'pariah' nation. I cannot believe that this demonisation by so many at the same time is a coincidence."
The foreign press was a popular target with Mahathir when he was in power - an era of hardline rule, including the detention of political opponents, which some commentators say Najib will replicate.
Define 'Mahathirism'
The veteran leader complained that allegations of a return to "Mahathirism" implied he had been "a dictator who detained for no reason, manipulated the judiciary, controlled the press etc".
"As the person concerned I will leave it to Malaysians to judge and to define 'Mahathirism'. They are the constituents which Najib should care about. The foreign press has an agenda of their own," he added.
The new premier served as Abdullah's deputy for six years before taking the helm, one year after disastrous general elections in which voters punished Abdullah for failing to implement promised reforms.
Najib has repeatedly denied any involvement in the death of Altantuya, the lover of his close aide Abdul Razak Baginda who was acquitted of abetting her murder.
Two police officers have been sentenced to hang for the grisly slaying of the young woman, whose remains were blown up with military-grade explosives in a jungle clearing.
Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) president A Vaithilingam has expressed his unhappiness over the relocation of 28 out of 29 temples in Kuala Lumpur.
“I am very disappointed. After March 8, 2008, the DBKL committee has not functioned. The issue of relocation is now dealt directly by the Deputy Federal Territories Minister M Saravanan. He is considering reconvening the committee. Taoist temples are also affected.”
Vaithilingam added that the relocation of “each temple should have been decided on a case-by-case basis”.
According to a Bernama report, Deputy Federal Territories Minister, M Saravanan announced that 28 out of 29 temples in Kuala Lumpur have agreed to relocate except for the Sri Muniaswarar Temple in Jalan Air Panas in Setapak.
"It has become a government policy not to demolish any house of worship without giving an alternative area for them to relocate.
Unbecoming to built toilets in front of temples
"To those who refuse to relocate, they will be given 30 days and an alternative location, following which we may proceed to demolish the building. We did not force them to move out without giving them another place to go; several alternatives had been suggested," Saravanan was quoted.
Vaithilingam was also equally disappointed over plans to construct public toilets in front of a temple in Klang.
“It is most unbecoming and very unethical. We are very disappointed that the MPK (Majlis Perbandaran Klang) is proceeding with this. How would you feel if public toilets are built in front of your place of worship?”
The construction of the toilets in front of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Tengku Kelana has recently been stopped despite it being 70 percent complete.
The construction has created a rift between MPK and the temple committee members along with locals recently.
Vaithilingam said this at a press conference where he announced that Malaysia Hindu Sangam would be organising Malaysia’s first national temple conference on May 10, 2009 from 7.30am to 5.30pm. The theme of the conference is: “Our Temple Our Community.”
The MHS is targeting 500 temples and Hindu organisations. Only three delegates from each organisation can attend. A fee of RM50 per individual would be charged.
Pakatan Rakyat will lose its majority as well as its Speaker in the Perak state assembly if the Barisan Nasional state government manages to convene the assembly sitting on May 7 as two of the defected independent lawmakers have declared their support for BN.
Former PKR reps Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering) and Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) told Malaysiakini that they will attend the assembly and back BN on the motions moved.
"Sure!" Mohd Osman replied when asked if he would support the vote of confidence for Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir if tabled.
Meanwhile, Jamaluddin said that it was not necessary for BN to table any motion in support of Zambry or against ousted menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin as the latter is no longer in office.
However, the Behrang rep said he would lend his support to BN if a motion was moved to remove Speaker V Sivakumar, who is also the DAP assemblyperson for Tronoh.
Currently BN and Pakatan both control 28 seats in the state assembly, with the balance of power resting with the three independent reps who have declared themselves as 'BN-friendly'.
The trio, Mohd Osman, Jamaluddin and former DAP assemblyperson Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang), quit their respective parties to become BN-friendly independents on Feb 4. This resulted in the collapse of the10-month-old Perak Pakatan state government.
The state was subsequently plunged into political turmoil with Pakatan denouncing the BN takeover as illegal since a vote of no confidence was not passed in the state assembly to remove Mohd Nizar.
Last week, state assembly secretary Abdullah Antong Sabri who was suspended indefinitely by Sivakumar last month, issued notices for the sitting to all assemblypersons.
However, Sivakumar claimed that the notice was illegal because he was not aware of it and Abdullah had been suspended.
According to procedure, he said, the state assembly secretary must seek approval from Speaker before issuing the notice.
Sivakumar will write to Perak ruler Sultan Azlan Shah to ascertain the legality of the notice and ask for a postponement of the sitting.
Exco appointments on the cards?
In a related development, both Mohd Osman and Jamaluddin said they have not heard any news about being appointed as state executive councilors.
Yesterday, DAP Pantai Remis assemblyperson Nga Kor Ming alleged that the three independents went to the state government building last week to have a glimpse of their future exco offices.
Nga urged the trio to explain whether the posts are a form of reward for supporting BN.
Denying this, Mohd Osman said he had been to the building only once, to attend a meeting last month, after BN took over the state.
On being appointed an exco member, Mohd Osman laughed, and merely replied: "No idea and no information."
Jamaluddin, on the other hand, called Nga a "liar" and claimed that his visit to the building last week was to take back his belongings in his old office.
"I went there alone. He is a liar," he said.
Both Mohd Osman and Jamaluddin were appointed as state exco members when Pakatan ruled the state.
When BN formed the state government, only six state exco members were appointed although the state constitution allowed for 10 members.
Pakatan leaders alleged that the vacancies were to lure more Pakatan assemblypersons to defect and also to reward the three independent lawmakers.
Hee, who has never been seen in her Jelapang constituency since the takeover, could not be reached for comment.
The construction of a row of toilets located opposite the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple will be completed despite a series of protests led by Shah Bandaraya MIC chairperson KP Samy.
MCPX
“After gathering feedback from the traders, hawkers and local residents in that area as well as looking into all the complaints that the MPK have received so far, the council has decided that the current location is the most appropriate.
“There is no reason why the toilet’s location should be a problem. They are located quite a distance away from the places of worship. And the toilets are already 80 percent completed anyway,” said Selangor exco member Dr Xavier Jayakumar when contacted by Malaysiakini today.
He added that the construction of the toilets will be completed in about a month.
He also made a statement in community paper Sinar Harian today that since the toilets were funded by the federal government, putting its construction on hold would disrupt the flow of development funds from the federal government to the Selangor state government.
The location of the toilets have been the subject of dispute over the last few weeks, after some local residents complained that their location near the famous temple as well as a mosque and two churches was inappropriate.
Protest letter sent to council
The protest escalated after a rally by local NGOs and Samy led a group of shop owners to submit a protest letter to the Klang Municipal Council (MPK).
Nevertheless, Jayakumar commented that Little India – as Tengku Kelana is fondly known – was a tourist hotspot and that the influx of tourists meant that there was an acute need for toilets in that area.
In addition, Jayakumar remarked that KP Samy’s protests were a desperate attempt to gather publicity for himself, and noted that there were bigger social issues to settle.
“There may be small groups out there protesting against this project but at the end of the day, our decision (to build the toilets) was made in the interest of the public.
“We meant no disrespect to anyone or any group.”
Toilet project put on hold?
However, Samy gave a contrasting account of the status of the project.
He claimed that a MPK engineer by the name of Jerauf told him that the project had been put on hold.
Referring to Jayakumar's statement in Sinar Harian, Samy said: “Dr Xavier’s excuse was most unacceptable. The federal government may be the one providing development funds, but it is the state government that has a say in approving the project.
“Anyway, I have submitted a letter to the Tourism Ministry today to seek explanation on this matter.”
He revealed that he had planned another protest rally tomorrow, but that it was now postponed for the weekend.
He also dismissed Jayakumar’s suggestion that he was just garnering publicity for himself, adding that: “I do not need any publicity. I am merely defending Hindu rights.”
KUALA KANGSAR: Rulers are above politics and as such cannot participate in open debate to answer allegations hurled against them by political groups, Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah said yesterday.
He said the action of certain political groups in provoking the people and sowing seeds of hatred against the rulers was akin to fanning "embers in the chaff", which was a dangerous act and could destroy the peace in the country.
"These groups are allowing the end to justify the means by condoning such acts.
"These groups and individuals feel that they are faultless and immune to any action, to the extent of disregarding the law for the sake of attaining power," he said at the loyalty pledge and awards ceremony in conjunction with his 81st birthday at Istana Iskandariah here.
In what many observers see as the ruler's take on the on-going political crisis in his state, Sultan Azlan Shah said the power struggle had shown an ugly side with despicable characteristics being paraded in the open.
The ruler said he felt that there was too much politicking in the country and this would affect economic productivity and the country's image.
He said leaders of various political parties should find a meeting point from which they could work out ways to cooperate for the sake of the country and people.
Sultan Azlan Shah also spoke on the need to correct what he described as the misconception that the constitutional monarchy was just a symbol devoid of power.
He said the rulers were neither blind, deaf nor mute. In fact, he added, they were fully aware of what was going on in the country.
"It should be stressed that the constitutional monarchy has three rights -- the right to give views and counsel, the right to encourage and motivate, and the right to remind and reprimand."
Sultan Azlan Shah said although the constitutional monarchy acted based on the power vested in it under the Constitution, it would be erroneous to think that the role of a ruler was similar to that of a president whose functions had been pre-defined in the Constitution.
"The role of the constitutional monarchy goes beyond what is stipulated in the Constitution.
"The rulers have a far wider responsibility in ensuring that the spirit of the Constitution, the philosophy behind the written law, and the interests of the country and people are safeguarded at all times."
He said based on the spirit behind the formation of the Federation of the Malay States, the rulers were responsible for protecting the privileges and position of the rulers' institution, Islam, the Malay language and the legitimate interests of other races.
"These are the basis of understanding and the ingredients which resulted in the formation of an independent and sovereign nation, enabling its people to live in peace and harmony."
Sultan Azlan Shah said in 52 years of nationhood, the country's administration had seen ups and downs.
"I myself have been giving views and advice either openly or behind closed doors on matters which I think should be rectified."
He called on the people to be wary of attempts to provoke them into dismantling the system and institution as this could create chaos in the country. -- Bernama
Malaysiakini: Barely 48 hours after suspending all Hindraf coordinators, the outlawed movement's exiled leader P Waythamoorthy has now been forced to defend his decision.
His move to clarify the suspension came about following a deepening rift between London-based Waythamoorthy and the movement's grassroots leaders and supporters who were fighting for the cause here.
It is also learnt that Waythamoorthy's clarification was as much as to assuage the bruised egos of the suspended coordinators, which included some opposition parliamentarians and well-known rights activists.
"A complete revamp and restructure is needed to face the new challenges (for Hindraf)," Waythamoorthy told Malaysiakini today in explaining his decision to suspend the coordinators.
He said that his original intention to suspend the coordinators has been "misinterpreted and misunderstood by certain segment of the public".
"They read it as though we are replacing our coordinators. This is not the case as it is merely a restructuring exercise," he added.
And he went on to further explain the need for such an exercise.
Changes needed to remain relevant
He said that the original 10-member committee was set up towards the end of 2007 to oversee the movement's campaign in fighting for the rights of the Indian community and to demand for the release of Hindraf leaders held under the Internal Security Act in December 2007.
By then Waythamoorthy had also left the country to spearhead the movement from London.
However, he added, those appointed to the position of coordinators have now moved on to undertake other key responsibilities which were far more challenging with the increased needs of the society.
He gave the examples of M Manoharan (Teluk Intan) and S Manikavasagam (Kapar) (right) who have since become parliamentarians for the opposition.
He said that another coordinator N Surendran had been forced to take up all legal matters involving Hindraf as all other Hindraf legal advisors were under the ISA detention.
And as for the movement's national coordinator RS Thanenthiran, Waythamoorthy said the former has since indicated that he was serious about forming his own political party.
"As chairperson of Hindraf, I can state that the valuable and sound advice, support and contribution from the aforesaid politicians, members of parliament and legal advisor have been vital in spearheading our struggle.
"The continuous support from them would only strengthen the movement's direction in fulfilling the demands of the Indian community," he added.
However, he said that the expectations and aspirations of the Indian community were beyond the original demands and Hindraf needed to keep up with the needs and changes to be relevant.
"In these circumstances, a complete revamp and restructuring is needed to face the new challenges. The new structure would be announced in the next few days," he said.
Grumble in the ground
On Friday, Waythamoorthy dropped a bombshell by announcing the suspension of the movement's 10 state and national coordinators with immediate effect. He replaced them with a three-person interim committee.
Among those dropped from the line-up included the movement's top coordinator Thanenthiran (left) who had been helming the group locally while Waythamoorthy was in self-imposed exile.
Waythamoorthy also placed a gag order on the dropped coordinators.
The coordinators, while publicly have stated that they accepted Waythamoorthy's decision, have privately expressed their disappointment with the move.
It is learnt that some of them were caught unaware by their suspension, leaving them embarrassed in having to explain the situation to their supporters.
These coordinators have played a pivotal role in keeping the Hindraf movement alive and relevant, including successfully turning the Indian voters to support the opposition in the 2008 general election.
However, there have been complaints recently that the movement and some of its coordinators have become politically ambitious.
Who is Waythamoorthy?
Waythamoorthy's decision to suspend the coordinators also did not go down well with some Hindraf supporters who had turned against the movement's leader by questioning his judgement.
And highlighting the widening rift in the movement, leading Tamil daily Malaysia Nanban today carried a headline which asked ‘Who is Waythamoorthy?'
The daily quoted some grassroots supporters questioning Waythamoorthy's decision to remain overseas while faulting the local coordinators.
"He should have been here fighting with us for our cause rather than issuing statements from overseas," they said.
Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim has called upon private television and radio stations to change by putting national interest above commercial value.
He told Bernama today that he would be meeting the management of private TV and radio stations soon to bring about changes as they had failed to deliver the government's aspirations resulting in the BN’s poor performance at the general election last year.
"People will not blame the private TV and radio stations if they had complied with the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998.
"This will not arise if the Act is followed. There are stations that do not carry messages good for nation-building," he told reporters after a cultural function at Simpang Pertang near Jelebu today.
Rais, however, said he did not totally blame the media as they had been very helpful to BN over the years, adding that the changes to be made by the private TV and radio stations would not affect them commercially.
"I will be looking at the role of television and radio stations in nation-building. There are 34 radio stations under the government,” he told Bernama.
New restrictions on TV stations
Asked about the decision to return the Bahasa Malaysia news on RTM1 to its 8pm primetime slot, Rais said it was done after a lot of complaints were received when it was shifted to 9pm.
The new minister's message came in the wake of a Malaysiakini report that four private TV stations have been told by their top management to restrict their news coverage of the controversial Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case.
The TV stations have been ordered not to name political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, who was Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s close confidant, when reporting on the grisly murder case.
The television stations were also ordered not to show visuals of Razak Baginda in previous trials and after his release.
It is learnt that the management of Media Prima Bhd - the owner of the four TV stations - had issued a directive on the matter last week.
Unhappy with change of news slots
Meanwhile in a related matter, the decision by RTM to change the time of its news programming has come under fire from several quarters, especially from the viewers of the Mandarin and Tamil news broadcast.
Under the revamped schedule effective tomorrow, Mandarin news will be aired at 6.30pm instead of the popular slot of 8pm. As for the Tamil news broadcast, the 30-minute bulletin will now be at 6pm instead of 7.30pm. National prime news in Bahasa Malaysia will be aired on TV1 at 8pm.
MIC Youth wing advisor S Vell Paari told malaysiakini that the youth wing will be submitting a memorandum to Rais soon, asking the minister to put back the Tamil news at its original 7.30pm slot.
"It is pointless to have the news bulletin at 6pm. Many people will still be rushing back from work at this time. How can they watch news at that time?" he asked.
"If the whole point is just to show everyone that RTM is also broadcasting Tamil news, then it is futile for us to ask them for anything. They might as well show it at any odd hour," he said.
"However if they are really interested in ensuring the Indian community get their daily dose of news in Tamil, then the news bulletin must be showed at a time when most of them can watch it," he added.
He also said that MIC secretary-general and Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam has raised the matter with Rais.
Similarly Malaysian Indian United Party president KS Nallakaruppan also urged the information ministry to slot back the Tamil news at its original slot to that "more people will have access to the news".
"The government must be seen as doing more for the Indian community. It should not be making them to feel as though the government is ignoring them," he said.
Chinese community leaders have also expressed disappointment with the change in time of the Mandarin news bulletin.
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim may get his wish for a walkover in the Penanti by-election after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said the Barisan Nasional was mulling the possibility of not contesting the state seat.
Speaking at his hometown in Pekan, Pahang, the prime minister said the ruling coalition might opt out of the by-election “if it obtains the consensus of all component parties”.
"I don't know yet (whether to contest). We will look first, but I don't rule out any possibility," he told Bernama.
"I will raise the matter at the next Umno MT (supreme council) meeting. If I don't have the time, I will bring it up to the (party's) political bureau, and discuss with the BN component party presidents," he said.
Najib dismissed suggestions that Umno was afraid in battling their arch-rival, PKR, in another by-election.
"No, we are not afraid of losing to them but it is a sheer waste of public funds... Whatever decision we make, we will take into consideration whether it benefits the people," he was quoted as saying by Star Online.
Yesterday, Najib had accused the opposition of “playing political games” by deliberately forcing a by-election.
He then went on to say the country did not need another by-election as it “is a waste of time, energy and money”.
The Penanti by-election was triggered after the seat fell vacant following PKR assemblyperson Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin’s resignation in the wake of corruption allegations.
Anwar later called upon BN not to field a candidate against PKR and give the opposition party a walkover instead.
"It will not only save taxpayers' money, time and energy, but also will be consistent with the premier’s statement,” said Anwar to 500 party members in his Permatang Pauh constituency last night.
A PKR political fortress
Penanti, which has 15,241 registered voters, comes under Permatang Pauh - a PKR political fortress.
In the Permatang Pauh by-election last August, Penanti voters gave Anwar a thumping majority of 3,276.
Five months before that, at the 2008 general elections, first-timer Mohammad Fairus took the seat with a majority of 2,219.
The Election Commission said that it would make an announcement next Friday on the status of the seat as well as the by-election date should there be a vacancy.
A by-election must be called within 60 days after the seat is declared vacant. This will be the sixth by-election after the 2008 general election.
PRESS STATEMENT 16.04.2009
RE: HINDRAF TO REORGANISE AND RESTRUCTURE TO MEET NEW CHALLENGES
HINDRAF’s struggle has entered a new phase where the situation in the country has qualitatively changed since November 25, 2007.
The needs, expectations, desire and the aspiration of the Indian community from HINDRAF has developed beyond the initial demands and seeking the release of its lawyers currently held under the ISA.
In light of these developments and the need to restructure the working groups, HINDRAF with immediate effect suspends its 10-member coordinators team including its National coordinator, Event Coordinator and Publicity coordinators and all state and district coordinators.
All HINDRAF/Makkal Sakthi coordinators are instructed to refrain from issuing statements in the name of HINDRAF though they are free to express their personal opinions on any matters they choose.
In the interim should there be urgent needs to address any issues a 3 member interim committee consisting of the following persons have been named:
1) Kannan – 012 269 0024
2) Ganesan Velu – 012 5158762
3) Thana - 019- 3571820
A new committee of volunteers and working groups would be set up nationwide to meet the need of the Indian Community after consultations with the grass root supporters of HINDRAF/Makkal Sakthi.
P.Waytha Moorthy
CHAIRMAN
HINDRAF
Hindraf's London-based leader P Waythamoorthy has suspended the movement's 10-member coordinators with immediate effect and replaced them with a three-man interim committee.
Among those dropped from the line-up included the movement's national coordinator RS Thanenthiran who was helming the show for Hindraf locally while Waythamoorthy was leading from London.
Waythamoorthy (right) has also put a gag order on these dropped coordinators.
"All Hindraf coordinators are to refrain from issuing statements in the name of Hindraf though they are free to express their personal opinions on any matters they choose," he said.
He also said that the reason for the change was to allow the movement to move forward with its original cause and aims.
The 10-member coordinators were appointed at the end of 2007 after Waythamoorthy had left the country to seek international lobby in the face of government arrests.
The movement's public face P Uthayakumar was detained under the Internal Security Act along with four other Hindraf leaders on December of 2007.
Since then Thanenthiran (left) and the other nine coordinators have been keeping the Hindraf movement alive and relevant, including successfully turning the Indian voters to support the opposition in the 2008 general election.
However there have been complaints recently that the movement and some of its coordinators have become politically ambitious.
The final fallout was apparently the showdown the movement had with PKR's leader Anwar Ibrahim after he decided to pick someone from outside of Hindraf to contest for the Bukit Selambau state by-election early this month.
Hindraf supporters had originally proposed that Thanenthiran was given that seat.
Thanenthiran accepts decision
The matter came to a close only after a phone call from Anwar to Waythamoorthy, who then instructed his coordinators to stand down and throw their support behind PKR, which eventually won the by-election.
At the same time, there were other coordinators who had started acting on their own and without any coordination with the Hindraf leadership.
Waythamoorthy told Malaysiakini today that he had to make the startling changes in order to keep Hindraf in the mainstay of fighting for the community's rights.
"Hindraf's struggle has entered a new phase where the situation in the country has qualitatively changed since our mass protest on Nov 25, 2007," he said.
He said that the needs, expectations, desire and the aspiration of the Indian community from Hindraf has developed beyond the initial demands and seeking the release of its leaders currently held under the ISA.
"In light of these developments and the need to restructure the working groups, Hindraf with immediate effect suspends its 10-member coordinators team including its national coordinator, event coordinator and publicity coordinators and all state and district coordinators," he added in a statement.
He also said that a new committee of volunteers and working groups would be set up nationwide to meet the need of the Indian community.
He said this would be done after consultations with the grassroots supporters of Hindraf/Makkal Sakthi.
When contacted Thanenthiran said he accepted Waythamoorthy' decision and that he will continue to fight for Hindraf's struggles.
"I will continue to back the movement. This is a good strategy to ensure that Hindraf remains apolitical in its struggles," he added.
Malaysiakini: After a lengthy meeting which dragged on for almost three hours, MIC president S Samy Vellu announced that the party will not withdraw its representatives from the cabinet and pledged support for the new premier.
Reading out a brief statement after chairing the all-powerful Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, the veteran politician shut the file on the controversy.
"This (cabinet appointments) is the prerogative of the prime minister. We are not making any comments. We cut the subject at that point," he told a packed press conference.
But when prodded by journalists, the MIC president made it clear that his requests to the premier were not met.
Following the April 7 Bukit Selambau by-election, which saw defeated MIC candidate S Ganesan chalking up a marked increase in support from Indian voters, Samy Vellu said he requested for an additional deputy minister post to be given for a woman.
This is contrary to the speculations that he had lobbied for a deputy minister's post for vice-president S Sothinathan, who is said to hold a special place in the president's heart.
Sothinathan was a former deputy minister prior to his defeat in the March 8 polls last year, which also witnessed MIC's top echelon, including the president, being wiped out. The sole survivor being secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam.
Samy Vellu also conceded asking the premier that MIC be given a senior ministry but clarified that he did not specifically request for the Works Ministry.
The 73-year-old politician, who was recently annointed as president for a record 11th term, said he made this petition based on the fact that MIC was the third largest component party in Barisan Nasional.
The MIC president was previously the works minister. Currently Subramaniam is the party's sole full minister overseeing the human resources portfolio, which many regard as a junior ministry.
MIC also has two deputy ministers, M Saravanan (Federal Territories) and SK Devamany (Prime Minister's Department).
Gov't was slow to respond
Samy Vellu was also asked if MIC had been sidelined and the current scenario was a reflection of the party not having any clout in the ruling coalition.
Denying that the party had lost its influence, the MIC president was confident that his party could survive even "for the next 100 years" if it was sidelined.
"We have the strength to do this," he said, adding that MIC's only concern was the woes faced by the Indian community in Malaysia.
According to Samy Vellu, the government had dragged its feet in responding to the issues raised, as a result of which the community had turned its back on the ruling coalition.
"I was in the cabinet for 29 years. I dare say that I was the longest serving minister in the world.
"But whenever I brought up issues (concerning the community), the response (from the government) was slow and we lost their support," he said, expressing hope that things would be different under the new leadership.
The MIC president also said that all the issues which were raised in the cabinet had been recorded. "I have a recording myself, but I am sworn to secrecy."
Meanwhile, Samy Vellu also denied that he was responsible for MIC losing its two full minister positions in the past.
Clarifying that it happened before he assumed the reins in 1979, the president said: "I was a nobody at the time (with regards to making such decisions)."
On Saturday, Malaysiakini had reported that MIC was considering pulling out its representatives from the cabinet.
A party insider had said that MIC was peeved over numerous unresolved issues, chief among them was the 'treatment accorded by the new administration to the Indian community'.
He said that MIC was willing to become a standalone party within BN and concentrate its efforts to unite the Indian community.
According to the party insider who is close to the MIC leadership, topping the list of grouses was that the Indians were still being 'treated as second or even third-class' citizens in the country.
Secondly, and perhaps the main reason for the pull-out threat, is because the new cabinet line-up saw the absence of a senior ministerial portfolio for MIC.
On the same note speculations are rife that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is pressuring the MIC president to step down, but this has never been confirmed.
Malaysiakini:Former Penang Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin today has resigned as the state representative for Penanti.
According to the embattled politician who is under probe for corruption, he is quitting in the interest of his party, PKR.
"After giving due consideration and in the interest of the people, I have decided for the sake of protecting PKR to resign as the Penanti state representative effective today," he said in a statement.
He added that he was planning to pursue his education and wanted to spend more time with his family.
"The resignation will also allow me the space to clear my name from the various allegations hurled against me," he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Penanti constituents for the support.
No confirmation yet from Fairus
The press statement was issued by PKR's information bureau, but there is no confirmation from Mohammad Fairus himself as he could not be contacted. [Click here to see full statement]
However Penang legislative assembly speaker Abdul Halim Hussain confirmed receiving Mohammad Fairus' resignation letter.
In a hastily arranged press conference at his office this afternoon, Abdul Halim said that he received the resignation letter earlier today.
He said that all necessary arrangements were being made for a by-election.
As recent as late yesterday, Mohammad Fairus told a Chinese daily that he was exploring a number of options including switching parties or becoming an independent in addition to resigning.
He claimed that the corruption allegations were made by his party colleagues who were out to kill his political career.
Mohammad Fairus, 33, has been under spotlight for several months over his alleged corrupt practices.
He had earlier resigned from his position as the deputy chief minister (1) and state exco member on April 8 after he was embroiled in a graft allegation linking to illegal quarry operations in the Penang mainland.
His resignation today as the state representative would necessitate a by-election for the state seat in the next 60 days.
The Penanti seat is under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat, held by PKR's leader Anwar Ibrahim.
"The seat is now vacant and the Election Commission will decide the date to conduct the by-election which has to be called within 60 days," PKR vice-president Azmin Ali.
Azmin said the party would prepare for victory in the upcoming poll.
"We want to retain the seat and win with a bigger majority," he told AFP.
Penang PKR deputy chief likely candidate
A Penanti by-election will not be a poll just to choose the next state assemblyperson but also the new deputy chief minister I - one of the two deputies which has been set aside for PKR.
Penang PKR deputy chief and Anwar’s trusted lieutenant Dr Mansor Othman is a likely candidate for Penanti, which had 15,241 registered voters in 2008 general election electoral roll.
Previously the party top leadership has opted to wait for the outcome of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation on Mohammad Fairus before deciding his replacement in Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s cabinet.
PKR sources said Anwar, the parliamentary opposition leader, has however decided to go ahead with a by-election in Penanti by asking Mohammad Fairus to quit after Lim exerted pressure for a quick decision on the matter.
It now appear that MACC is in no hurry to charge Mohammad Fairus despite strong speculations that it would do so this week.
PKR has three executive councillor slots in the Pakatan state government.
Batu Maung assemblyperson Abdul Malik Abul Kassim and Bukit Tambun assemblyperson Law Choo Kiang are the other two PKR representatives in the state cabinet.
It first appeared Abdul Malik was to be promoted to take over the coveted DCM 1 post, while his party colleague, Sungai Bakap assemblyperson Maktar Shapee, 60, will fill the exco seat which he is vacating.
Anwar does not have much choice. Besides Mohammad Fairus, there are only two Malay-elected representatives among PKR’s nine state representatives.
But Anwar has other plans
However, Anwar’s prolonged delay in naming any of them heightened speculations that he had other plans, much against the wishes of the DAP-led state government.
It’s learnt that the state government leadership preferred media-friendly Abdul Malik (right), 54, who is currently in charge of domestic trade, consumer affairs and Islamic religious affairs, as Lim’s deputy.
However, rumours within PKR circle on Abdul Malik’s alleged involvement in the ousting of Mohammad Fairus apparently had not gone down well with Anwar, who wanted a strong political personality to assume the hot seat.
Yesterday, Lim expressed disappointment over Anwar’s delay in naming PKR’s nominees for both the DCM 1 and exco posts.
A by-election in Penanti will allow Anwar to pick his own men to fill the two posts.
For the PKR supremo, Mansor (left), who is the deputy chief of PKR’s election machinery, fits the bill perfectly for the post of deputy chief minister.
"Anwar believes that, unlike (Mohammad) Fairus, Dr Mansor can’t be bullied around by rivals within PKR," a top state leader told Malaysiakini.
Meanwhile Penang CM Lim Guan Eng, who is in Singapore on an official visit, said he was not aware of Fairus' resignation.
"I don't know anything about this resignation. If you (reporters) want to know, please ask Anwar," said Lim through his press secretary.
The construction of a row of public toilets in front of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Tengku Kelana - known as Klang’s ‘Little India’ - has been suspended after coming under a storm of protest.
The 70-percent completed structures have been the centre of a spat between the Klang City Council (MPK) and local residents as well as temple committee members who are unhappy with the close proximity of the toilets to the temple.
Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu (left) said that the project has been put on hold.
"I have asked the MPK to prepare a report on the viability of the project. I will then make a decision on whether the project should continue once MPK submits its report to me."
The construction of the public toilets is funded by the federal government under the Tourism Ministry, although it is subjected to approval by the state government and the project to be implemented by MPK.
Sri Maha Mariamman, reputed to be the most elaborate temple in the country, is a major tourist attraction.
The toilets, apart from facing directly the well-known temple, are also situated behind a mosque and near two churches.
Yesterday, 80 shop-owners in the area, together with local MIC leader KP Samy (right), sent a letter to MPK, demanding the council to state its stand on the project.
According to Liu, the local residents are divided over the construction of the toilets.
"The church members have voiced their objections. The temple committee members, on the other hand, are not unanimous in their stand on the issue. The chairman of the temple committee, for example, has agreed to it.”
No other suitable spots for the toilets
Norfiza Mahfiz, an administration officer from MPK, argued that the location of the public toilets were inevitable as there were no other suitable spots nearby.
But this was disputed by Samy, who said he would propose alternative locations for the toilets at a press conference tomorrow.
He added that one of the MPK councillors had promised him that the toilets would be converted for other purposes but the council had yet to make any official statement on the matter.
Meanwhile, another Selangor cabinet member, Dr Xavier Jayakumar (right), told community newspaper Sinar Harian today that the protests were politically motivated.
"The protesters, who are mostly MIC supporters, did not object until the toilets were almost completed.
"Where were they during the planning stage when the MPK held numerous discussions on the project?" said Jayakumar, when contacted by Malaysiakini.
This was however refuted by Samy, who claimed that about 50 PKR Youth and Makkal Sakthi members had taken part in a street protest against the construction on Sunday.
"I, too, own a shop in that area. There is nothing political about it." he said.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Ministry will use a “diplomatic approach” in dealing with private media corporations and bloggers.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the ministry preferred to take follow-up efforts than legal action against those who have violated the laws.
He said they, however, have to act against the hardcore perpetrators.
“Those who have broken the laws have to face legal action. If we do not act on them, it is the fault of the administration.
“But I stress that using legal action will be our last resort,’’ he said.
He told reporters this yesterday after taking over duties from Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who has been appointed Youth and Sports Minister.
Dr Rais, who is the former foreign minister, said he would study the current circumstances and find ways to work closer with private media groups and bloggers.
For this, he said a seminar on the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 would be organised for journalists and bloggers.
The seminar will enable them to know the dos and don’ts under the acts, he said.
He said combining information and communications under one ministry would enable better efforts in enforcing the two laws.
“We want them to know that we have to take action if something happens,’’ he said, adding that the Bar Council would be invited to help organise the event.
Dr Rais also called on the private broadcast media stations to be pro-active in helping to develop the society and country.
He said some private television and radio stations had failed to adhere to laws that required them to play patriotic songs.
“Most of them are more concerned in making profit,’’ he said.
Dr Rais, who was the information minister from 1984 to 1986, said he would look into the contents of programmes provided by RTM and do the necessary rescheduling to attract more young viewers.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak joined the Sikh community in its Vasakhi Day celebration yesterday.
Najib, who visited the Gurdwara Sahib Tatt Khalsa Diwan in Chow Kit, here, for the first time, made his intentions known only late Monday evening.
“I gave late notice as I did not want any pomp and pageantry. I did not want the red carpet, bunga mangga or kompang.
“I wanted to meet you in a natural way and take part in the daily activities so I can better understand the aspirations and hopes of the Sikh community and all communities.
“I want to show very clearly that this Government stands for all communities, races and religions,” he said in a short speech to those present at the gurdwara.
The crowd cheered when he greeted them by saying, “Sastrikal and Happy Vasakhi Day.”
Najib mingled with members of the community and joined them for breakfast, after taking off his jacket to be more informal.
He even went to the kitchen to meet with the ladies who were preparing food, and even tried his hand at flipping over chappatis.
Najib also met with blood donors at a corner of the hall.
Community members, excited to meet the new Prime Minister, lined up to shake his hand and take photographs.
In his speech, Najib expressed his appreciation and recognition of the Sikh community’s contribution to the country’s development through the years.
He also called on all Malaysians to help one another regardless of race or community, to foster greater unity.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.
The gurdwara’s deputy president, Rejinder Singh, said they were honoured by Najib’s visit.
