Sinister Hues

Two recent events, which on the surface appeared to be good news, have taken sinister hues, on deeper contemplation.

The first is the release of Hindraf’s leaders from detention. As STAR columnist Baradan put it, this was a moment some Indian leaders in the DAP and PKR dreaded. Apparently the fact that several Indian leaders of the DAP and PKR rode the anti-BN wave in Mar 2008 to high positions in Government, while the people who had “turun padang” to get the Makkal Sakti Tsunami going languished in Kamunting and the courts, did not do much to endear these leaders to the folks in jail. Conversely, the release of the detainees went some way in undermining the moral right to leadership of the DAP & PKR Indian leaders. So then, was this a consideration in ordering their release from Kamunting in the first place?

The animosity is already surfacing, with demands for ex-detainee and Kota Alam Shah Assemblyman Manoharan to be made a Selangor EXCO member for his sacrifices, a request that could upset Dr Xavier Jeyakumar, who is currently playing the role of Indian leader.

The next event is the “speed-of-light” registration of the new political party, Malaysia Makkal Sakthi Party, led by former Hindraf national coordinator R.S. Thanenthiran.

The ROS generally moves at snail’s speed under such circumstances, as evidenced by the registration of Parti Sosialis Malaysia which took ten years.

“We applied and have received approval for the party from the Registrar (of Societies),” Thanenthiran said.

Although this party is likely to emerge as a rival to the MIC, which has all along claimed to be the sole representative of the Indian community, the chances are PR parties are feeling more threatened. Thanenthiran has apparently been blaming PR for not “doing enough” for the Indian downtrodden. “They rode the wave and won big but have not delivered on what they promised,” Thanenthiran said. “That is why a new and independent political party for the Indian masses is urgently needed.

He added tellingly: “The new party is independent but will work with any political coalition for the benefit of the Malaysian Indians.”

More ominously, it was reported that the new party has the financial support of top Indian businessmen, some of whom are close to Umno leaders.

“We have friends in the corporate and political world who support our ideals,” Thanenthiran said, adding nevertheless, that Makkal Sakthi was independent and prepared to work with anyone for the benefit of the Indian community.