ID :
24905
Thu, 10/16/2008 - 18:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/24905
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POLICE, COURT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST HINDRAF
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government would let the police and court to decide on the action to be taken against the banned extremist group Hindraf, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Wednesday.
He said the police would carry out a thorough investigation and it was
up to the court to pass sentence if they were found guilty.
The government would not tolerate any extremist group regardless of race or
religious background as the government had taken action against Al-Arqam,
Al-Ma'unah and Kumpulan Militan Malaysia in the past, he said.
"The government's priority is to protect the security of Malaysians," he
told reporters at his office, here.
He reiterated that Hindraf activities had consistently broken laws, and
their illegal demonstrations turned violent and incited racial hatred.
The government banned Hindraf Wednesday for contravening the Societies Act
1966.
The latest incident involving Hindraf was disturbing the open house
hosted by the prime minister and Muslim cabinet ministers at the Putra World
Trade Centre on Oct 1.
"They disseminated messages that could cause racial and religious tension.
They created fear among the people. They even threatened people's lives," said
Syed Hamid.
"Although the government is willing to listen to the people's grievances
and even utterances of unpleasant words, it cannot tolerate groups that
propagate extremism and stir up racial and religious tension."
He said the Indian community was not neglected in this country as they were
quite well represented with 14 Indian members of parliament, 21.4 per cent in
the legal fraternity, 18.4 per cent in the field of medicine and their overall
income was 1.2 times higher than the income of the Malays.
With regard to those living under the poverty line, the Indians
comprised 2.9 per cent, Chinese 0.6 per cent and Malays 8.3 per cent, he
said.
Syed Hamid added that there was a ratio of one temple to 149 Hindus and one
mosque to 2,300 Muslims in this country.
Asked why only now the government banned the group, he said the government
had to first carry out a thorough investigation.
On the timing of the ban prior to Deepavali on Oct 27, the home minister
said it was the duty of the government to protect peace and stability in this
country at all times.
He said the police would carry out a thorough investigation and it was
up to the court to pass sentence if they were found guilty.
The government would not tolerate any extremist group regardless of race or
religious background as the government had taken action against Al-Arqam,
Al-Ma'unah and Kumpulan Militan Malaysia in the past, he said.
"The government's priority is to protect the security of Malaysians," he
told reporters at his office, here.
He reiterated that Hindraf activities had consistently broken laws, and
their illegal demonstrations turned violent and incited racial hatred.
The government banned Hindraf Wednesday for contravening the Societies Act
1966.
The latest incident involving Hindraf was disturbing the open house
hosted by the prime minister and Muslim cabinet ministers at the Putra World
Trade Centre on Oct 1.
"They disseminated messages that could cause racial and religious tension.
They created fear among the people. They even threatened people's lives," said
Syed Hamid.
"Although the government is willing to listen to the people's grievances
and even utterances of unpleasant words, it cannot tolerate groups that
propagate extremism and stir up racial and religious tension."
He said the Indian community was not neglected in this country as they were
quite well represented with 14 Indian members of parliament, 21.4 per cent in
the legal fraternity, 18.4 per cent in the field of medicine and their overall
income was 1.2 times higher than the income of the Malays.
With regard to those living under the poverty line, the Indians
comprised 2.9 per cent, Chinese 0.6 per cent and Malays 8.3 per cent, he
said.
Syed Hamid added that there was a ratio of one temple to 149 Hindus and one
mosque to 2,300 Muslims in this country.
Asked why only now the government banned the group, he said the government
had to first carry out a thorough investigation.
On the timing of the ban prior to Deepavali on Oct 27, the home minister
said it was the duty of the government to protect peace and stability in this
country at all times.
