International   

Hindraf leaders in poll fray

SINGAPORE: At least two leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), one of them a detenu under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act (ISA), have thrown their hat in the ring for the March 8 parliamentary and state elections.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who called the snap general election 15 months before schedule, said he was seeking “more than a two-thirds majority” in the 222-member Parliament. And, he promised “a credible, fair, and democratic election.”

For several months now, Hindraf has been campaigning proactively for a “fair deal” for the mainly-Hindu minority of ethnic Indians in Muslim-majority Malaysia. A few Hindraf leaders have links with some opposition parties, although the non-registered group has no political identity or affiliation.

M. Manoharan, a Hindraf leader detained last December under the ISA without formal charges and recourse to judicial trial, has been fielded by the multiracial opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP). Actively associated with the DAP even before his detention, Mr. Manoharan will contest the Kota Alam Shah seat in the Selangor State Assembly. The nomination papers were filed by his wife. Hindraf national coordinator Thanenthiran Ramankutty said over the telephone from Malaysia, that the DAP had nominated Manogaran (not to be confused with the ISA detenu, Mr. Manoharan) for the Teluk Intan parliamentary seat. Mr. Manogaran is a Hindraf lawyer.

Manikavasagam was being fielded by the multiracial opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) for the Kapar seat in Parliament. He was among the Hindraf leaders released unconditionally after the security forces aborted its “roses campaign” in Kuala Lumpur on February 16.

Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, following its renunciation of the agenda of forming an Islamic state, announced that Kumutha Rahman, an ethnic Indian, would be the candidate for a seat in the Johor State Assembly. Expressing satisfaction over this development, Kannan Ramasamy, a Hindraf leader, said the group, while supporting all opposition parties, would refrain from campaigning against the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) chief, Samy Vellu, contesting for the ninth time for a parliamentary seat from Sungai Siput in Perak State. Mr. Vellu, a long-time Minister in successive national coalitions, is seen by Hindraf as no more than a “pawn” in the hands of the main constituent, the United Malays National Organisation.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

New Cuban regime to seek Castro’s guidance
Top Pakistan general killed in suicide attack
Madhesi deal hits a snag
Escalation of Turkey operations feared
Hindraf leaders in poll fray
Russia reaffirms support for Serbia
Human chain against Israeli blockade
40 Tigers killed, says Colombo

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu