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©Malaysiakini (Used by permission)
by Syed Jaymal Zahiid

The mass rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) reflected the disgruntlement of the Indian community, said Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner Prof Khoo Kay Kim today.

According to Khoo, the rally provided a clear picture of how the Indian community has suffered prolonged marginalisation before and after the country achieved independence from the British.

“The Indian community is not doing so well compared to other races in this country. I believe that the rally was well-intended unlike the many accusations that the rally was racially-driven,” he told a press conference at the Suhakam office in Kuala Lumpur.

Sunday’s rally drew some 30 000 protestors to support a US$4-trillion class-action suit against the British government for bringing the Indians as “slaves” to this country.

However, Khoo, a renowned historian, also pointed out that Hindraf cannot blame the government entirely for the community’s woes but must also look at political parties which claim to represent their interest.

Asked if he was referring to MIC, the commissioner, who was hesitant to give a direct reply, said: “Each race-based party claims to represent the interest of their supporters so in the case of the Indians, who else should they scrutinize?”

As far as the legitimacy of the rally is concerned, Khoo said the United Nations Human Rights charter which recognises peaceful assemblies as the right of every citizen has been “accepted” by the Malaysian government.

He said the issue of national security is often used as a reason to justify a clamp down on peaceful rallies.

Unnecessary force

Meanwhile, Bar Council president S Ambiga expressed concern over the manner in which the police had handled the rally.

In a statement, she said the police had employed unnecessary force since the motivation behind the rally was a peaceful call for the government to address the problems faced by the Indian community.

During the rally, the police had repeatedly fired tear gas and chemical-laced water to disperse the protestors, some of whom also alleged to have been roughed up by police personnel.

The authorities, on the other hand, have accused the protestors of behaving violently.

“Apart from the fact that the right to assemble peacefully is enshrined in the Federal Constitution, attempts to curtail the assembly muzzles voices that must be heard as there is clearly a group of Malaysians who feel marginalised, frustrated and helpless,” said Ambiga.

She stressed that the best solution would be for the government to “hear the voice of the people and heed their call.”

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