Dear Mr. Uthayakumar,
Salam perjuangan, I hope this finds you well. I write this letter to you with as much sincerity as my heart can muster because at this point, Hindraf has effectively become you alone, and you alone have become Hindraf.
While Malaysia talks of Hindraf and imagines the Indians, I feel that you and your small circle determine what “Hindraf” is, and not any wider community.
You thus now hold within your hands the ability to lead Indian Malaysians in this country out from marginalisation and into a life of dignity and prosperity. In this regard, you stand in the same place Gandhi did at the beginning of his struggle.
You have succeeded where none have before in uniting the Indian Malaysian community, inspiring them to leave behind their fears and to stand up bravely in pursuit of justice and a better life.
You now face however, the prospect that the massive opportunities that these successes presented may be slowly slipping through our fingers. To lose these opportunities, which we may never see again in our lifetimes, would be a tragedy not only for Indian Malaysians but for all Malaysians.
Where once Hindraf stood as the next wave of a Malaysian movement demanding the return of integrity and justice to our government, it has now become twisted into a lightning rod of polarisation which plays directly into the hands of Barisan Nasional’s racially divisive politics.
We can stand the tide of oppression, of vilification and the use of unjust laws against us, but only if we hold fast to the right principles and choose the right paths.
I am writing to you sir, to implore you to prioritise results as well as a sustainable and just solution for the long term over whatever short term gains current strategies may yield.
I beg you to consider the fact that some of the current approaches will not only worsen ethnic relations in Malaysia, but also frustrate any attempt to realise the changes so desperately needed by the Indian Malaysian community.
Now, more than ever, it is imperative that your movement does not sacrifice its ultimate goals in the pursuit of fleeting satisfaction. Your movement is but a step or two away from truly inheriting the legacy of the Gandhi-led Indian struggle for independence from Britain, and the time has come to close that distance.
Unassailable Moral High Ground
It is also now that our commitment to Gandhian principles is most tested.
On a logical level, I can perhaps understand to some extent statements about how violence cannot be ruled out due to the uncontrollable nature of crowds.
But for a leader in your position to refuse to rule out violence as a part of your movement is both unacceptable and unbecoming of the Mahatma’s legacy.
Clearly, the government’s attempt to brand you as a terrorist is a desperate ploy. To respond in kind however, and wildly accuse the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of having links to Al-Qaeda is to practice exactly the eye for an eye logic that will indeed leave the whole world blind.
The importance of holding the highest moral ground cannot possibly be overstated; it may well determine whether the lot of Indian Malaysians will ever truly be improved.
Images showing police firing laced water cannons against supporters sitting peacefully and bravely holding their ground holding Malaysian flags and pictures of Gandhi is exactly the type of moral shaming that brought down the British Empire in India.
Holding fast to these approaches will expose to the world the government’s injustice towards Indian Malaysians and towards Malaysia; refusal to rule out violence and striking back blindly in anger will send your movement down the annals of history as nothing but rabble rousers.
A Commitment to the Truth
Your interview with Malaysiakini revealed that your use of the terms “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” were not without due consideration on your part. They have also obviously succeeded somewhat in attracting wider global attention.
Once again however, I plead with you to consider the wider implications.
It is highly unreasonable to expect Malaysians to believe that what happened in Rwanda and Bosnia is happening here in Malaysia.
I firmly agree with you that there is a clear and present danger of failing to address these problems, and thus one day going down that road; but it is ridiculous to suggest that we are already there.
The entire credibility of a leader rests on the words he or she chooses, and I regret to say that such poor choice of words risks putting you in the category of the boy who cried wolf.
I do congratulate you on bringing the matter to the attention of legislators in India, the UK and the US – this was no small feat. To use such sensationalist means to achieve this goal however may be akin to “Menang bersorak, kampung tergadai.” A significant fear of mine is that your movement may hope for more dramatic clashes in order to heighten international attention.
It would be unwise to assume that the international community can truly do much to improve the welfare of Indian Malaysians, which again should be the ultimate goal. Even if circumstances should turn more violent, if the world did not act in Rwanda, and still does not act in Burma, it will not act in Malaysia.
Unity
Mr. Uthayakumar,
I implore you not to walk this road alone. Perhaps you wanted the rally of the 25th of November to be primarily Indian Malaysian in composition because you wanted the community to prove to itself that it can stand on its own two feet.
This is understandable, but the time for walking alone has come and gone.
If any Hindraf leader were to be detained under the ISA, rest assured that I will stand with the multitudes on the streets demanding their freedom.
I only ask you to consider that if at this crucial stage you moderate your stance and truly internalise the teachings of Mahatma, you will make the struggle against injustice in such an event a one to one fight, rather than splitting the conflict into three corners – all of Malaysia could rise up to defend justice for all.
Otherwise, we will once again fail to unite, and fail to realise true change. In doing so, we will condemn yet another generation to hateful division and poverty.
I sympathise with your cynicism as to how other movements in Malaysia have failed to champion the cause of the Indian Malaysian community sufficiently. I myself take responsibility for my own failure to push this agenda sufficiently in my own efforts. If your intent has been to shame us, consider us shamed and appropriately humbled.
I am deeply hopeful that you will however have it in your heart to see the harsh reality that faces us all at a moment like this: there is no way your movement will ever succeed if it remains exclusively a Hindu or Indian movement. It is a stark and painful truth, but a truth nonetheless.
If the injustices of the powers that be are painfully difficult to break even when we stand united, they are entirely impossible to break standing divided.
There is also no doubt in my mind that the welfare of Indian Malaysians will never really improve unless we do indeed break those injustices.
I do feel that the Bersih model has struck fear in the hearts of those in power. If we can build on that model of a mass movement that incorporates all ethnic groups and elements of society, instead of being limited to certain segments, I feel we can build a momentum to achieve our ultimate goals – without which all our other goals will be rendered meaningless
Believe it or not, I have seen how the vast majority of the Malaysian public of all races is perfectly ready to support the Indian Malaysian community in their endeavour to seek a better life. If you are ready to accept some moderation and engage this greater public, I assure you the results will be phenomenal.
I know that it is a lot to ask of you, to sacrifice your approach and the rubric under which you have conceived your struggle. It is not something any of us should dare to ask lightly.
In fact I do not ask, I beg. I beg that you review your strategies, reject that which will not help Indian Malaysians in the long run, and adopt the tactics that are true to your principles of speaking truth to power and have a real chance of affecting change.
I beg that you consider the views around you, and weigh your actions against longer term successes – which are the only successes that matter. Stand united now, and we may have a chance of seeing those successes within our short lifetimes.
Mr. Uthayakumar,
I shall never forget the assistance you gave me when I was under detention.
I do not believe you are a racist, or harbour any truly ill intentions, and I do appreciate the pressures and historical difficulties that inform your struggle.
I only hope that in this decisive moment for all, you will be willing to make the right sacrifices, and not the wrong ones, in going beyond being good leader to being a Gandhi-like leader – one that Malaysians of all races need so very badly.
I remain ever available for any assistance you may require.
Be strong sir, take courage and take that last step.
My most sincere and heartfelt thanks,
Nathaniel Tan
Dear Nathaniel,
Thank you for putting into words what many Malaysians feel. As a Malaysian citizen, I support the HINDRAF rally, their cause and their right to express themselves. But as a malay and muslim, I cannot agree with the usage of certain words in the petition that was to be handed to the British High Commission.
Words such as ‘islamic extremist’ and ‘terrorists’ are guaranteed international attention, but really now, Mr Uthaya, these very words are misleading unless you have proof that the crimes done to the Indian community in Malaysia are by ‘islamic terrorists’.
Furthermore, Mr Uthaya, the words ‘islamic terrorists’ itself are wrong in the eyes of muslims worldwide. When injustices were done by Christians, we do not call them ‘christian terrorists’ or even in other cases, ‘hindu terrorists’.
This term is a stereotype against muslims. I believe you or HINDRAF do not mean to stereotype or insult muslims, but I think you should know, that if the term terrorist needs to be used, please omit the word ‘islamic’.
We support you, and we are willing to walk the street to protest with you, but the choice of words in the HINDRAF memo makes us think twice.
I have more indian friends than i can count, but since the Hindraf memo, many of them look at me through different eyes. They look at me like I have betrayed them by being malay and muslim. Little do they realise that I was rooting for HINDRAF, I was planning to be there for them, willing to go through tear gas and water cannons for them.
Dear Uthaya, this is what the memo has done to my relationships with my indian friends. I feel that you should send the message to all indians, that many, infact thousands of malays and chinese support them and are willing to go through this with them. And I feel that the word ‘islamic terrorists’ should be omitted from the memo. This is an injustice towards muslims.
I believe that atrocities and injustices are done to the Malaysian indians. But these are done to the Malaysian chinese and malays too. Why do you choose to walk this path alone? Let’s not do that anymore.
Let’s unite indians, malays and chinese to protest against tyranny and injustice together. For in essence, we are all calling for the same thing. Justice, Equality, Fairness among other things.
I hope you know that I mean no insult to you or HINDRAF. We are on the same side. We are fighting for the same things. I hope you take my suggestions into consideration because this will immeasurably gain the support you and HINDRAF require from all races.
Mr Tan,
You spoke for all Malaysians.
My plea to My Uthaya is to gracefully withdraw those offending words. If he does, he would be clipping the evil wings of the IGP, AG and UMNO. How then will they fan the racial fire.
Thank you sir.You have strike the right cord.We must take a united Malaysian approach.Please please dont stop your sincere effort until you get it across to all Hindraf members..Its just brilliant THis is what we need and expect from true fellow Malaysians to support one and another ..We need people like you sir to make us all a proud malaysian.Narrow mindedness must make way for the formation of a true malaysian identity.I am an indian and i dont like some of Hindraff stand and wordings in the memo.They must change and adjust themselves to the real situation now.
I truly believe in the HINDRAF struggle. I believe in freedom in expressing one’s voice in the midst of injustice done to the humankind. I believe in the spirit of Gandhi.I also believe in the spirit of Tunku, our founding father. I believe in the brotherhood of mankind, especially we are in the situation where people of different ethnicity live and breathe together.
But I detest the prejudicial view of others when you push for your voice to be heard. I don’t think it is right to point finger at Muslims, in generalization, that they are against non-Muslims. What I want to propagate and hope you too, is to present your struggle without hurting others feelings. I fully support you and your desire to see your people receiving due justice and fair treatment, especially from an institution that promotes racism and hatred.
God bless.
I am quite surprised at the lengthy and passionate appeal that Nathaniel had painstakingly explained. As an Indian, and a Tamil, Uthayakumar had done what generations of leaders had not done, including the present leader of MIC.
However, none of us want violence and be branded as a violent race. It is also pertinent t understand that we have to walk with the support of our Malay and Chinese brothers (and sisters) as they, too, face similar predicament. None of us can stand alone. That is the truth as far as Malaysia is concerned.
I used to be very angry at how we Indians are being discriminated. But looking around, Malays have the widest inter-ethnicity disparity and believe me some of my closest friends are Malays and not Indians. Most of them are wonderful and are struggling to meet their ends, like many of. It is TOTALLY unjustifiable to look through the prism of race alone.
As I said, I, too, was angry when temples were demolished and the arrogant way the authorities dismissed the pleas of Indians. Most of us have given up on MIC. You have had given us the hope and spark to feel proud that at least there is one among us who would stand up for us.
Of late, the govt has tried to corner you. The new “terrorist” allegations are being levelled along the lines to isolate the Malaysian Indians from the local and global support. We cannot fight this battle alone. We need the support and understanding of our Malay and Chinese friends and believe me there are quite a number of them who understand our plight. Essentially they say, and I agree with them, that the battle should have been against the MIC and not ordinary Malays and Chinese.
I have been victimised by the UMNO led policies of the govt, and very badly when I headed dept. It was none other than Anwar Ibrahim’s policies as the then Finance Minister which resulted in I losing out, but because of that it would untenantable and unjust to hold a grudge against all my Malay friends who had then understood my plight then and felt for me very sincerely. There was a time when I used to argue incessantly with a “friend” of mine, Din Merican in the Bakri Musa’s column on the desperation we Indians face but more than anything else the understanding an support from the likes of Din had given hope.
Violence begets violence and I am totally against violence of any form/kind. The “peaceful assembly” by Hindraf has achieved its target and we need to build and consolidate our strength to fight the impending battles ahead. It made me sad to learn of the violence on that day. Most of my friends felt it is taking a wrong direction. Our youths should have strength of mind and not strength of fist. When the policemen were attacked in India, Ghandi was dismayed at the tit-for-tat and went into a fast and declared that he would stop only if policemen are treated as friends. The people went to the extent of garlanding them. I would have expected that to have happened on that day but alas!!! If only you had had encouraged the youths to take Ghandi’s path, believe me the plight and right of Indians would have received a better and higher level of response.
The govt is trying to isolate you and is throwing all kind obstacles in your path. We are indeed grateful for breaking the spell on our desperation but I earnestly, honestly and sincerely want to think hard and fast that it is better to seek comfort and support in numbers and racial solidarity. If it means that I have to generally chide and blame all Malays and Chinese for our plight, then I would have none of it. It is like saying that we Indians do not have any bad hats and unnecessarily take on the other races when MIC and its leaders are the actual cause of our plight.
I would and many of us would be happy to see you continuing this battle and our support will always be there but it has to alongside our Malay and Chinese brothers and sisters. If the govt lays it hands on you (you know what I mean) this battle will be over and none of the international countries, India included, will ever come to our rescue. Our life and fate, to a very large extent, is interwined with those from the other races. In this battle against corruption, marginalisation and discrimination, croynism, independence of the judiciary, etc. I want it to be the battle of all races. I am not even a member of any party, Keadilan included, but I hope better sense will prevail. This fight is ours, not just Indians, Chinese and Malays.
Mr Uthayakumar,
As far as i am concerned, you are one of the very few lawyers in Msia who still has his spirit and soul intact – and is not for sale. Well done.
Your challenges are against a smalll set of leaders (so-called) who use (and abuse) the intruments of race and religion to rule and govern to maintain their strategic advantage and control.
Your challenge is not the actual race or religion. So it would serve your cause if you decoupled race and religion from your positions, actions, and behavior.
You will garner even more more credibility (you already have earned a tremendous amount), if you simply tightened your positioning around the pressures of exclusion being inflicted on the indians.
None of our religions are races prescribe to the behavior of injuring other races or religions. Its only those who have mediocre capability who need to resort to using misabuses of religion and race.
- InEffective…
Nathaniel Tan whoever you are , you have articulated your views so well and hit the nail on the head . You and klconfidential have broght home the general stand of many sympthisers of HINDRAF . The way the protest was organised is totally not acceptable . It had all the ingredients to ignite a racial riot . We dont want a repeat of May 69 . Having said that I fully support the cause Uthayakumar is fighting for which should include all less fortunate communities in general .Syabas to nathaniel Tan and klconfidential . I strongly recommend that your open letter should be published in all the news papers.
On a seperate note can you let me know why were you detained and when ?
wellA said, dear fellow blogger-idealist Y&A:)
I “curi” a li’l to enhance my Post, any kopileft payable?:(
Hello Nat. Your letter to Uthayakumar is indeed eloquent and encompasses what the majority of Malaysians I feel, feel.
I am very afraid that Uthayakumar is pushing too close to the envelop that could engulf this nation into a situation that would benefit no one. For him, and the Hindraf leaders could either find themselves in the relative safety of a prison cell or like what his brother has done, escaped abroad. But for most of us, we’d be living in fear everytime we leave our house, or return to it or in it.
Dear klconfidential,
thanks for your polite and rasional memo. As an Indian i feel happy and peace on your superb memo. Yes i do agree with you. ;)
As a Tamil and Hindu, I am grateful to these two writers for putting into words what I too feel about the potentials and pitfalls for the movement that Uthaya has inspired.
I too would appeal to Uthaya to keep the long-term goal in mind. I too feel that you have the good of all Malaysians in your heart but please take great care with the words that you use so that you do not unwittingly give ammunition to Umno and others who would like to bring you down.
Dear Mr. Uthayakumar,
You must sustain the pressure. And use Hindraf to highlight the marginalisation of all poor Malaysians…and like Gandhi…..poor and struggling Malaysians would forever be grateful to this organisation for tearing this government which has overstayed its welcome far too long by cheating at elections and at court…….the fire must be kept burning…….a leader has been born……can you stay this vital mile….
Daniel Dude!
Well said and i am with u for whatever is worth. Many tx for putting forth the face of reason in this trying times. With kindest regards,
mangchik
Well said klconfidential. I just wish the leaders from Pas expressed themselves this way. Communication is essential and your message is clear and supportive.
Thank you.
Nathaniel Tan & KLconfidential,
To be frank, I am truly amazed to read such a positive responses from you guys amidst all the negatives ones. At least now I feel good that there are greats souls out there who do understands our plight and fight. U guys reminds me that we are not fighting alone bcoz mostly I only read negative remarks from malays about Hindraf.
Definitely anyone in your shoes (KLconfidential) will be angry when such words like “islamic extremist” and “islamic terrorist” are used, even I will if I am an Islamic person. The same goes with words like “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide”.
I do not have any exact answers for why those words were chosen as I believe Mr Uthayakumar and his fellow brothers know better. But as a Malaysian Indian I think I roughly know the reasons (if not 100% correct, maybe 50% yes I guess).
“Mini genocide” probably was referred to what happended in Kampung Medan in 2001 where if I am not mistaken, about 6 innocent Indians were killed and about hundred were slashed but till today no inquiry was done nor any arrests were made.
“Ethnic cleansing” was probably referred to how slowly the Indian’s opportunities in every field was taken away, be it in terms of education, economic, jobs in goverment department, bussiness opportunity etc etc. Apart from that, demolishment of Indian temples at any average rate of 1 temple being demolished every 3 weeks in Malaysia. According the HINDRAF lawyers, all these are the approaches that slowly pushes the Indian to dire poverty. Even the suicide rate is very alarming among Indians compared to other races in Malaysia. Probably these were some of the reasons why such terms were chosen to describe how the Indians are suffering on day to day basis.
“Islamic extremist” – again I think the lawyers were using it bcoz they strongly believe all these acts are done in the name of Islamisation or because Malaysia is an Islamic country. Such declaration was not heard about 15 or 20 years back, it’s only now. Cases where non-muslim students are asked to wear muslim attire during certain functions in certain schools, where the deceased bodies were not released the family for final rites to be performed bcoz Jabatan Agama Islam claimed that the deceased had converted without the family’s knowledge etc etc. Being an Indian my heart breaks when I read such stories on the papers and I feel so bad that nobody can help in such cases. Like the malay proverb says, “Berat mata memandang, berat lagi bahu memikul”. There are many cases like these that I have read and heard – involving family members especially children were being separated from parents when 1 parent is converted, or even the famous Lina Joy’s case. But please dont get me wrong, I do have high respect for Islam for I believe every religion teaches its followers good things, but when Islamisation being forced on others like in these cases, how do we expect others to stand the pain. Have we ever ever heard anyone being denied burial rites, family being torn apart bcoz they were converted into Hinduism? A point to ponder.
If we really follow closely what Mr Uthayakumar have been saying in his speeches, we will realize that he stressed that all these were done by the UMNO controlled BN government. And that he has got no grouses with PAS (which suppose to be more Islamic as it is purely an Islamic concept party) as he said he was brought up in Kelantan and the PAS government to-date had NEVER demolished any Indian temples there. In fact according to him, even the PAS government allowed to build a huge temple in the middle of Kota Bahru where 99.99% are muslims. The point is, Islam is CERTAINLY not the problem or enemy to HINDRAF, it is the Islamisation that UMNO practices on Hindus here that creates the anger and frustration. Probably the message was not crossed over clearly, or the lawyers must stress further that the so-called “extremist” they were referring to were some UMNO members and not all the muslims in Malaysia. I do apologize if that claim had hurt you bro.
As for Nathaniel Tan, I believe Mr Uthaya in the past had not only fought for Indians (although most of the time, yes) but also for others as well. But since this struggle for equal rights and to stop marginalisation among Indians had been started and is going deeper and deeper by everyday, I wonder how if he is going to divert slightly from his mission and fight for all marginalisation people in Malaysia at this point of time? (of course that is a great idea and in fact one should fought for).
From what I see, the best we can do now is, if all of us are united in this strunggle we can make a difference. And once we succeed, marginalisation in other ethnics including among Malays, Chinese, Sabahans and Sarawakians will also come to an end. Let Mr Uthaya decide what shall he and his team do next. Finally, again I appologize if I have hurt anyone with my this comments.
Nat – Great entry!
It is time to unite. It is time HINDRAF goes under the umbrella of BERSIH. We are not racist…we are Malaysians.
This is my take on ethnic cleansing… it does not just mean killing, but at a deeper level involves psychologically giving pressure by refusing giving what they rightfully deserve and sidelining certain ethnic groups from the mainstream, economically etc. This is already happening to the Malaysian Indian minority. Eventually the ethnic group will leave the country (if can afford), commit suicide (Indians contribute the highest %), convert (the weaker ones) or stand and fight.
I think your advice to Hindraf is very sincere and honest Iwished that your advice was given before the petition and the protest As it would have the Protest Truly Gandian style and would not have given the BN the excuse for counter attack.Normaly when such kind of action are taken it should be brainstormed to fine tune it for defects.and to assure full succ ess This wasnot done I assume.However the objective of Hindraf is noble and sincere.I hope Hindraf accepts your advice and unites with other like minded organisation for the Nation well being and to Malaysia a truly Democrate and peacefull country for our Children Thank you Your advice is great
Nat,
Very well said.
The roof of polarisation in our country is not other than
“UMNO”… they sick, man!
Dear All
Unity in all diversity is what I see from all these comments. Why then are we so apart in our efforts? When and Who is going to stand up and lead us on? We are useless against our oppressors if we are divided (race, religion, etc). At this moment, we have the MOST OPPORTUNE time to come together. The elections are coming! We the people are waiting to make a stand!
UNITE! UNITE! UNITE! IT IS NOW….OR NEVER!!!
Great piece by Tan and I congratulate him.
From wikipedia: “ethnic cleansing has become improperly used to describe a situation wherein poorer ethnic groups are being displaced economically, by other, generally more affluent ethnic groups.”
I just felt that the term has been improperly used in the memorandum as well.
As for the term ‘genocide’ , it was actually mentioned as ‘mini genocide’ in reference to the Kpg Medan incident. Don’s see anything wrong there.
A very intellectual yet clear comments provided by all so far. Nothing is late to begin. I support the General Cause of HINDRAF.
I am very much glad to know that many others, apart from Malaysian INDIANS ( malays, chinese, ibans, kadazans, etc) are KNOWING that their rights & freedom is being suppressed. Wait no more my fellow malaysians, wake up. You do not need to wait for someone to Lead. Make your stand, and voice it out. Show it. Believe me, when the cause is proper, thousands will emerge following & supporting. Instead of asking Mr. Uthayakumar to do this..do that…could have done this…done that…i strongly suggest those who feels that they belong to the suppressed/ marginalised category, to stand up for their rights…for their freedom..
Rise fellow malaysians, this is OUR soil…OUR rights…OUR Freedom. Do not let someone hold that back. Today there is Uthayakumar, tomorrow there will be someone, Freedom is not something that can be bought, but it is to be earned!
EVERYONE shouldnt be waiting for SOMEONE to help them earn ANYONE’S freedom & human rights. NO ONE can stop ANYONE from exercising freedom of speech, and basic human rights, so EVERYONE standup before SOMEONE deprives YOU of that forever!
I strongly suggest again, Stand up for your rights…for your freedom…Do what you can, however you can, peacefully and let’s get our FREEDOM & HUMAN RIGHTS in Malaysia. Remember, the little things that A person does, makes a WHOLE lots of changes !!!!!
Happy Human Rights Day!
Gandhi style over the past 50years has screwed the downline, they are unable to think for themselves in the estates until the odd Uthayakumar comes around to highlight their plight and educate them on thier rights.
Change is only possible in Malaysia when those who are demanding that they be treated equally like every other citizen when they emulate:
“Mandela’s Thoughts”
That there is no backing off. Treat us equal or fight we will.
[...] Nathaniel Tan’s Letter To HINDRAF 8 12 2007 Open Letter to Mr. Uthayakumar – One Step Away From Gandhi [...]
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963
US black civil rights leader & clergyman (1929 – 1968)
Well said Nat.
2 points to be reconciled:
First, U makes a valid point that the marginalisation of these Indians was partly contributed to by the fact that other parties and NGO’s did not fight for their cause – they were effectively unrepresented. DAP and some NGO’s cursorily stated their objections to incidents affecting the Indians – but failed to recognise that these people , as a race, were systematically and surely being discriminated against, losing their dignity day by day.
Second, U may pervert the very opportunity and trust that these marginalised people have placed in his hands. He needs to fight this fight with utmost nobility and righteousness to sustain momentum and gather support.
He needs a “muhibbah” crowd and un-emotinal mind to win this fight. This is a fight for DIGNITY of the Malaysian Indians – the fact that it is communal, does not make it any less of a Malaysian struggle. Can he get it ? Will he allow it? How do we get him to tone down? Which brave and diligent soul is going to mediate between him and the other opposition parties and NGO’s which are distancing themselves from a communal fight? If he tones down the inflammatory language – is the communal fight still divisive?
Nat, you are young, mature beyond your years and above all, sincere – can you do something? Can you go beyond your letter – help the Indians. Dont let this become a cursory fight amongst a thousand other fights – thats what happened to these Indians over 50 years. U sees this – he’s doing something about it – is he overboard?too emotional? what can we do? what do we do?
if we can take care ot these Indians – then we are one step closer to a Bangsa Malaysia – because we were able to fight a communal fight without being divided and beause race lines than start to get more blur, to the fighters, the oppressors and to the victims. The oppressors cant divide and rule – because we would be beyond it, we dont fall for the trick of standing apart in a communal struggle of the Bangsa Malaysia.
Help them Nat. Help U calm down. I have faith that the sincere voice of 1 young man can make a difference – look at how the young sincere voice of MK Gandhi brought down the British empire.
God Bless. Praying for all us Malaysians.
Nat,
Thanks for the thoughts. It truly makes a lot of sense. It is indeed an opportunity to make this more meaningful and keep the momentum going. Perhaps it is time for those who know how to “play the game” to lend their support. Perhaps Utayakumar has carried the torch so far without anticipating that he will get the kind of support he is getting now. The rules of the game has changed now. He is being isolated and they are laying the groundworks to “neutralise” him. He probably wants to fight this out straight and go down fighting. Everything will go back to what it was and he will be made as an example that we should not challenge the “status quo”. It is probably the right time for the proffessionals to come out and support the drive. It should be people who do not have political millage to gain and be Malysian at heart. They can choose to do it in the open or from behind the scene. One way for this to happen is that “deprived” Malays and Chinese have their group supporting HINDRAF in principle and pledge to work with them and form a NATIONAL movement . HINDRAF in turn can say that they will reword their petition or the group says that they understand and accept HINDRAF’s explanantion on why they used such terms. This can then be turn into a bigger and more supported cause. We cannot allow this drive to die out or it may take another 50 years to have another leader like Utayakumar and HINDRAF.
Dear Nathan Tan,
I couldn’t have wrote it better. Thanx bro, ur sincerity and compassion for fellow malaysian touches my heart. God Bless you. You are a fine example of what Malaysia should be… makes me proud to know such a person still exist in this time of uncertainity. Dear Uthaya, heed his advice well, he means the best for you and the entire malaysian community. The government is twisting the fact, making hindraf a terrorist org in the eyes of the fellow malaysian. The local media is harping on it, brainwashing them into believing what the government want them to think. This is the time for you to act wisely and not to be trapped. Use ur words wisely and strain urself from any form of violance. The indian community and rest of right minded malaysians are with you. My humble request, summon all those good malaysians for your cause…. lets unite our brother Indian, Malays and Chinese together, to liberate this country from ethic based government. Unite to a single united malaysia which is blind to religion, race or colour!
well said brother nat…..still i will say that HINDRAF has no bash against islam..its just they are against the false parctise of using the peacefull religon by the UMNO for political avenues which eventually turns ugly againts the indians and human rights…You shld know better bro …now they eyeing at the compounds of the christian missionary schools to rip of the crosses and idols of MOTHER MARY and CHRIST…..So at the end of the day who are the real fanatics and backward minded …….???????
thank you Nathaniel Tan
your letter reflect my view
All I can say is we love and care for our Indian brothers
and sisters.
Well said, Nat!
Hopefully, Mr Utay will be around the next time to lead his brave Indian brothers in a joint march with Bersih. Then, we know we all truly have a chance to make Malaysia a better place for all and remove racial politics from our land.
Have anyone of you noted…
Samy Vellu till today, have not said a damn word yet to the press.
Was I mistaken…
I do not need PM and DPM to talk, I want to hear it from Samy…
Samy… whereee areee youuu…???
Uthaya had the guts and the gumption to do what MIC@ Samy should have done a long time ago. The sad part is he is betraying the real Indians who desperately need help- the youngsters from the estates who have been marginalised and who have no recourse nor outlet to become part of a civil society.This is the time for him to show his solidarity and yet he hides behind the safety of Govt job and worse, betrayed all Indians. His MP Devamany had more guts!.
Yes, I am angry with the plight of the Indians and my blood boiled when Hishamuddin called the Indians thugs. I can understand Uthaya’s anger and frustration when the PM, on one hand says that he is PM of all Malaysians and yet refuses to see him, as advised by his morons – Nazri, Mydin and his son-in-law Khairy ( who has no bloody business meddling in ). However, getting emotional, as most Indians are wont to do, is the fastest way to kill a cause and Uthaya is playing right into the trap. See how fast Hindraf has been branded a terrorist and is being bandied about as having connection to LTTE ?.
I sincerely pray that Uthaya will have the sense to see things in their proper perspective . A cool head is needed in these trying circumstances and he should read Nat’s letter a 2nd and 3rd time to get his bearing.
Uthaya has made us all proud by his convictions and actions in bringing the plight of the marginalised society to the fore. If only he can now see the big picture and include all Malaysians in the same predicament instead of just one section, then he will truly be in the annals of Malaysian history as a real and true leader of the down-trodden
Dear Mr UK,
I fully endorse Mr Nat and rest of the like minded views of this blog. You must change your strategy and adopt a truly Malaysian approach. Do not make enemies of other Malaysians or religions. We have to move in tandem regardless of race, religion or creed. You must now adopt more of a ‘goodwill’ mission amongst all Malaysians and be prepared to say “sorry” for those things or words you have used that hurt feeling of other races or religion in this country.
Whether you like it or not, this is a very blessed country on this planet and do not spoil it. Go for it and seek ‘goodwill’ amongst all Malaysians.
Rgds
Excellent Nat, being an Malaysian Indian who was there in the rally giving my brothers the support, I’m touched by your words and suggestions.
Do understand that these guys have just been lifted to the mainstream politics and to get where they are right now, the choice of words they have used have also played a role. Now obviously clarifications should be done explaining to our Muslim brothers’ that we mean no harm and correct what have been said but the media is not giving them the chance. How are they to do that?
Brothers of the struggle, do take Nat’s expression seriously as I too felt that being a Hindu there should be no violent at all. Many of my Indian friends had prayed to the All mighty that not even the police dogs should be injured during the rally on 25 Nov. Our struggle should include fasting as I feel it’s more non violent but have great impact to the feelings of others. We Malaysian Indian are behind you in heart and soul. (even my father who is 72 years old, and being a retired government servant, who have loyally voted for BN all his life have decided to vote out without any influence of any of his children). Sorry if I sound advising, be cool and be in control of your emotions and we should never hurt the feelings of others especially our fellow Muslim and Chinese brothers in the struggle, as winning it would be meaningless.
AHIMSA,AHIMSA, AHIMSA
Dear Nathaniel,
I applaud your patriotism and all your efforts at attempting to awaken us (Malaysians) all, shed light onto the injustices all of us have been subjected to one way or the other and on your plight to the HINDRAF leaders.
Being a Malaysian by nationality and also by heart, your efforts are like a burning candle shedding light onto a path that is getting bleaker as the days go. Having left Malaysia many years ago, I have minimal interactions with fellow Malaysians and am mildly surprised at the growing number of people voicing out their opinions against oppression.
I hope your honorable efforts (along with others like RPK) will one day bring a change into the political and socio-economic issues our country faces. May Malaysians finally unite despite racial/ethnic barriers to bring a change and make our beloved homeland a fair and just place to live in.
I thank you sincerely (on behalf of all grateful Malaysians) for all your efforts and once again applaud your patriotism and braveness.
Thank you NathanielTan for articulating the feelings of so many Malaysians who believe in basic human rights. I am an Indian Hindu and I agree with everything that you have written. My Uthaya Kumar is a very brave man and I have the highest regard for his mission. I have experienced marginalisation myself and have never accepted that I am a lesser Malaysian than my Malay and Chinese sisters and brothers.
I am all praise for Uthaya Kumar and what he has inspired in many Malaysians. He has been able to do what none of the BN leaders have been able to do. I believe he started on a strict footing because marginalisation of Indians stood out like a sore thumb for all to see except for the BN cronies. The movement had to start somewhere. Now that it has made itself heard, it has to move on to include all right thinking Malaysians and all the poorer sectors of Indians, Chinses and Malays.
Mr. Uthaya will become a hero for all Malaysians, irespective of race. He has managed to hit the right cord amongst all Malaysians who are suffering from the bad deeds of BN over the last 50 years
Right BN is hell bent to potray Hindraf as having links to terrorist organisations and thus try to alienate it from the sympathisers all over the world.
My only request is that those who have supported the NEP should now realise that Malaysia is a land for all Malaysians. We have to learn from our past mistakes. We can never be a beacon of light for others to follow as long as some of believe that we are special because we belong to a particular race. And the word bumiputra should be abolished.
My personal wish for Mr. Uthaya Kumar is for him to take care of his personal safety because if he manages to mobilise all Malaysians under a comman stand he will be the biggest threat to Samy Velu and BN
We condemn the Police Force and the Government for not letting the peaceful assembly in KL yesterday.
[deleted]
The Government don’t blame anyone but themselves because they would not heed to our advice.
Best Regards………
bukit.chandan@gmail.com
Malaysia is rich with lot of right thinking people who like liberty and freedom. I like your postings. Having said that, you should know your enemies. The draw back of free thinkers are they are good at their heart and often fails to understand their enemies. I am an Indian citizen but I have a global perspective on the issue. Because I know who is behind HINDRAF now and how they are going to damage Malaysia’s social fabric.
Currently,the HINDRAF leaders are inspired or remotely controlled by India’s Hindu militant group, RSS. Their office in Jandewalan Street of Delhi is a notorious epic centre of hindu extremism in India.
The traces of their criminal saga didn’t end up with crime of the millennium, the killing of Mahathma Gandhi.
As you know, RSS is the inspirational force behind most of communal riots through out India which regularly target Minorities or other socially excluded hindu communities.
To Tamil Hindus, this leadership will gift more misery than you can expect. In an age were conflicts are solved more peacefully, the militant approach inspired by Hindutva will be disastrous.
Considering the RSS factor, I would say Malaysian police is right in its argument about HINDRAF’s association with global terrorism. Do you know why?
An American research centre has placed India’s ultra-nationalist Rashtrya wayamsewak Sangh (RSS) on its terrorist list. The East Virginia-based Terrorism Research Center (TRC) is closely connected to the American government and many of its directors and researchers have closely worked with US administrations and have taken part in research and planning for the US administration.
In the list of in India, the TRC has placed RSS under no. 21. It appeared on 9 September 2004 on the group’s website under the caption “Known Terrorist Groups Operating in India“.
For God’s sake don’t trust me, trace the movements of HINDRAF leaders through out India. Their actions should be a major concern to Indian immigrants around the world.
The blog has to say more about it.
http://escapefromindia.wordpress.com/
Dear Nathaniel,
Thanks for the well written articles..
Uthaya kumar is our leader now… let him decide what is good for the tamilian here in Malaysia.
There are a lot of injustices done on Tamilian by this Malay Government.
Let me decide what action need to be taken from now on…
As a tamilian.. I stand beside him all the way…
Ravi Arumugam
ravisagil70@gmail.com
MARAH: Malay Rights Action Hoard
The Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) was reported in the media as having filed a class-action suit in London against the British government for bringing in Indians to Malaysia as indentured labourers and exploiting them for 150 years, and failing to protect their rights under the Federal Constitution. It is seeking USD 4 trillion ( RM15.2 trillion), or RM1 million per Indian in Malaysia, less legal costs.
Wow! RM1 million per person! The MIC President was even quoted as saying he himself was tempted to join in the rally on Sunday, 25 November 2007, which police has deemed an illegal gathering.
Since the Chinese always look for an opportunity in a crisis (the character has the two-fold meaning), why don’t the Malays now form a Malay Rights Action Hoard (MARAH) and file a class action suit against the British government for, inter alia:
1. Forcing their Raja-raja Melayu to listen to the advice of the British residents.
2. Flooding the country with immigrant labour without asking for the royal’s consent.
3. Not giving a chance for the Malays then to develop mercantile skills (monopolized by the Chinese immigrants; this is the seed of our never-ending debate on whether to continue the NEP or not) or work hard and develop strong labour practices (monopolised by the Indian immigrants) thus keeping them idle watching the immigrants work while they ‘lepak’ in the ‘istana’ and paddy fields, hence creating and perpetuating the myth of the lazy natives (read the late Prof Syed Hussein al Attas eponymous treatise debunking this myth).
4. Taking away their rubber or ‘getah’ and selling them back at inflated value-added prices with English-sounding names like Dunlop (but our ‘maruah’ or pride was saved by the historic dawn raid on Guthrie when Londoners were caught with their pants down by smart Malay like Tun Ismail Md Ali and a certain ex-CEO of PNB/Guthrie who is still in the news many decades on, yellow-robed this time).
5. Taking away their ‘timah’ or tin and selling them back at inflated value-added prices as containers with English-sounding names like:
Milo (pronounced mai low) and Ovaltine (pronounced O valtin: omit the ‘e’). The song/film ‘Tipah Tertipu’ should be re titled ‘Timah Tertipu’.
6. Taking away their mother tongue and replacing it with a strange language that does not make sense to the logical Malay mind; such words as ‘buffet’ (bufey, not buffet), ‘chalet’(cheley, not chalet), ‘vogue’ (vog, not vogiu), ‘ferro roche’ (fero roshey, not leceh), ‘quay’ (pronounced key, not kueh), ‘hors de ouvre’ (ordev, not horse di uver), ‘malaise’(malay, not malais, which is derogative-sounding ), ‘UMNO’ (arm no, not umno). Many Malays still suffer from this colonial infection in their mind when they think in English despite being very ‘Melayu’.
7. And causing a 21st century quarrel between erstwhile peaceful neighbours when owing to a difference in semantics, Singapore claims Pedra Branca and Malaysia claims Pulau Batu Putih, a rocky outcrop not big enough to build a squash court for Nicol David: all because the British then did not properly record their agreement to just operate a lighthouse in 1851, leaving it all to the poor Temenggong who could not find his ayam piru to pluck the feather and make a pen to write the agreement with (Singapore argues that PBP was ‘terra nullius’ or no man’s land at the time the British built the lighthouse, conveniently ignoring the Johor-Riau empire a few kilometers away and adopting the same argument used once by conquistadores Cortez in Mexico and Pizarro in Peru when they ignored the Inca and Maya civilizations then in their quest for gold).
It is because of the British too, not Malaysians, that we are now stuck with the dilemma of using English for teaching Maths and Science, and are still quarrelling about it 50 years after Independence when other countries like India have mastered their colonial master’s language so well that even American kids are learning tuition online from English-speaking Indians, as noted by T. Friedman in his excellent book on the benefits of globalisation, ‘The Lexus and the Olive Tree’.
Sterling pound 40 trillion would do justice as it would enable every Malay to stop working, keep their money in Tabung Haji, even stop politicking (no need to make money this way anymore) and go for ‘haji’ every year (even consider polygamous unions, if they like).
Oh yes, to add another prayer to the statement of claim:
* For setting up that little Etonish institution in the State of Perak that turned once-humble ‘budak kampong’ into pouting, bragging, swaggering brown sahibs who look condescendingly at their less-endowed counterparts across the street, in Ipoh, and in other hostels across the land….. (they are still pouting, bragging, swaggering and looking condescendingly, whether in the government or opposition, way past their biological prime, but still very much in charge of the affairs of the land left behind by their colonial masters, exuding manliness in the wisdom that they preach to all and sunder).
Dear Nat,
Your words are uplifting and bears the truth of every single citizen looking for a greater and better Malaysia.
Thank you
Bunga Raya
[...] I might write more on this later, but I hope that as the first layer of Hindraf leaders are now taken in, the second layer will rise to the challenge to shape their efforts from here on in a true Gandhian mold. [...]
dear malaysians,
im proud to be one.
Maybe what you guys don’t understand is the problem that sparked this whole HINDRAF issue.
Go read/look up the primary cause of our fight, and what 50 years of marignalisation did to us Indians (simply said, why do we fight for Indians, I mean the leaders are 5 lawyers educated in one of the top universities in the UK, don’t you think they would know they are fighting primarily for the Indians? So, try and question yourself, why do they do that? Why don’t they just fight for the marginalised society as a whole? Humm, let me see (and state the obvious here)….because most of these cases are among Indians).
That said, I’m sure we welcome any individual out there who wants to voice their concern over any other modes of being oppressed/marginalised. Just because we fight for the rights of Indians primarily doesnt make us racist (our primary concern is the Indians, but we are Malaysians too). But these individuals should be aware and accept that our primary fight is and always will be for the Indians-cue:think what does HINDRAF stands for. For those who are still confused here’s an example, Malaysia is a multi-racial country, with the main religion being Islam-apply that analogy/concept here)
Just one question before I leave, if the goverment bulldozed any of your mosques or chinese temples or churches around at a rate of 1 every fortnight, will any of you still be talking like how you are now? Think that through…
Have a good day ahead :)
Long Live Hindraf; Long Live Uthayakumar!
[...] in the early days of Hindraf, I wrote at length of how with just a few small changes, Uthayakumar could be Malaysia’s Gandhi, and Hindraf could become the more encompassing Makkal Sakhti – a movement to empower all the [...]