Media Statement by Lim Kit Siang in Petaling
Jaya on Tuesday, 7th October 2008:
Among Abdullah's last acts as PM - reach
out to Hindraf supporters to end the status of Malaysian Indians as a
new underclass instead of excoriating and demonizing Hindraf
I am taken aback by the Prime Minister, Datuk
Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's comments yesterday concerning Hindraf,
which Utusan Malaysia used in its front-page headline: "Kecewa sikap
Hindraf: Penyokong buat bising, enggan bersalam dengan TPM, Menteri –
PM".
In the past few days, Hindraf has come under intense attack, with even
MIC leaders like its President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and
Secretary-General Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam joining in the Hindraf-bashing.
Tomorrow, Abdullah would most probably be announcing that he would not
be defending the post of Umno President in the March Umno General
Assembly.
Whatever his announcement, among Abdullah's last acts as Prime Minister
should be to reach out to the Hindraf supporters to end the status of
Malaysian Indians as a new underclass instead of excoriating and
demonizing Hindraf.
Abdullah should initiate this healing process which is an important
integral part of Malaysian nation-building, to end the marginalization
of the Malaysian Indians in their own country – just as a similar
healing process must also begin to address all other marginalized
Malaysians in the country, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.
There can be no better start to this "healing process" than for the
Cabinet tomorrow to release the Hindraf Five from Internal Security Act
– making Deepavali this year a most significant and memorable one in
making all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, feel proud again
to be sons and daughters of the nation.
*
Lim
Kit Siang, DAP
Parliamentary leader & MP for Ipoh Timor
http://dapmalaysia.org