MORE PICS – 3 Hindraf Activists Arrested & Released (but 1 refused Bail as protest, Hundreds Supporters at Court; 20 NGOs & MIC – Don’t Go

Malaysiakini has a field day covering the arrest of the Hindraf leaders and latest
story Hindraf trio freed on bail with the earlier one On
Three Hindraf leaders arrested with
Malaysiakini.tv On Hindraf rally: Cops warn of 'stern action'

More arrested

ABOVE & BELOW: The police cars that brought the three arrested to court

Apparently they were arrested over remarks made at a forum based on police investigations pertaining to reports lodged against them to their speeches made at a recent forum in Batang Berjuntai, Selangor. They were charged under Section 4 (1B) of the Sedition Act in the Klang sessions Court.

But they were released on bail in no time as the charge sheet was not in order to what the DPP was saying. N Surendran representing the three pointed out that the charge sheet stated that only one word was seditious whereas the DPP said everything in the speeches were seditious. The police bungled in this case and the Magistrate ordered the charges be amended. Hearing resumes Monday.

According to the latest Malaysiakini report the Trio was released but its chairperson P Waythamoorthy ( & preferred to sit it out at Sungai Buloh Jail and do a hunger strike) refuses to post bail as a mark of protest.

In the NST report (BELOW), Johari was complaining about the text SMSes that were also seditious.
ABOVE: The supporters and protesters kept their distances from the well armed FRU personnel and BELOW: But continue their slogans shouting
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ABOVE & BELOW: More speeches & shouting
Meanwhile the other two P. Uthayakumar and V. Ganapathy Rao were on RM800 bail each.
Hundreds of supporters thronged the surrounding court house and FRU personnel and a water Cannon Truck was at hand to keep the peace.
ABOVE: DAP Leaders Ronnie Lui & Lim Kit Siang and another were at the Court to give moral support to V. Ganapathy Rao, a lawyer and a DAP active leader in Shah Alam

It has been a restless day for the 200 supporters the moment the Hindraf leaders were arrested and they have been keeping a vigil in front of the police station.
ABOVE & BELOW: More FRU on standby just incase the crowd got over excited
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ABOVE & BELOW: No action from the FRU present as the supporters were very well behaved and there were no provocations
More pics coming...

= == = == = = from theSUN; Three arrested over planned Hindraf rallyR. Surenthira Kumar
ABOVE: A tight security was in place at the entrance to the Shah Alam Police Hq fearing that the supports might gate-crash into it

PETALING JAYA (Nov 23, 2007): Police have arrested three key officials of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) that is planning to go ahead with a mass rally on Sunday outside the British High Commission in Jalan Ampang although police had rejected their application to do so.
They are expected to be charged under the Sedition Act later today.

The three men are:
Hindraf adviser, lawyer P. Uthayakumar, who was picked up at his office in Bangsar at about 10.30am
Hindraf chairman, lawyer P. Waythamoorthy (Uthayakumar's brother), who was arrested at the Shah Alam toll plaza about 3pm
V. Ganapathy Rao,(BELOW, outside the Police Hq in Shah Alam, before the arrest) who was arrested when he went to the Selangor police headquarters to see Uthayakumar about 2.45pm

Lawyer N. Surendran (ABOVE, was denied a Pass to enter to see P. Uthayakumar) went to Selangor IPK in Shah Alam about 2.45pm when Uthayakumar was taken there by a police team. He was accompanied by Ganapathy Rao and Parti Keadilan Rakyat supreme council member S. Manickavasagam.

However, when Surendran came out 20 minutes later, he told reporters that Ganapathy Rao had been arrested as well. He said he was informed by a police officer with the rank of Assistant Commissioner that the three men would be charged in Klang later today.

ABOVE & BELOW: The crowd of 200 Supporters immediately gathered at the Shah Alam Contingent Hq when news spread that P. Uthayakumar was arrested.

Outside the IPK grounds, about 200 people had gathered (ABOVE) and when the police car carrying Uthayakumar drove past the gate, shouts rang out and some rapped on the car window. Several empty mineral water bottles were also thrown at the car. On Monday, a police team had raided Uthayakumar’s law office with a warrant, in search of a publication that he had authored. They found nothing there. Simultaneously, another team searched Waythamoorthy's office in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, where some 2,500 booklets, pertaining to a suit that Hindraf had taken against the British government, were seized.

Hindraf planned Sunday's gathering to hand a memorandum addressed to the Queen of England to support a class-action suit against Her Majesty’s government for bringing Indians to Malaysia as indentured labourers and exploiting them for 150 years. It is seeking RM27.7 trillion in compensation. According to Manickavasagam, the rally will go on despite the arrests. Yesterday, for the second day running, police security checks at a number of roads into Kuala Lumpur caused traffic congestion. Earlier today, lawyer M. Manoharan told theSun police had served him, Uthayakumar and several other Hindraf officials a restraining order to stop them from participating in the rally. Police got the order from the Kuala Lumpur magistrate’s court, which also restrains all Hindraf supporters from participating in the gathering, which police said could disrupt public order.
= == = == = =and MORE threats OR FRIENDLY Advices from the Police

2007/11/22; NST
Rally to petition Queen E 'stirring religious sentiments'

Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum says some text messages concerning the rally had gone overboard

PUTRAJAYA: Police will not be issuing a permit for the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rally this Sunday. Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum said judging from text messages being circulated, Hindraf appeared to be playing up sensitive issues which included the demolition of Hindu temples. "Some of the text messages are overboard and can incite feelings. They are blaming the government, the police and Umno. If a rally is held in such a situation, it can lead to instability," Johari said yesterday.
Hindraf is planning to hold a rally outside the British High Commission in support of a class-action suit against the British government for bringing Indians to Malaysia as indentured workers, for exploiting them for 150 years, and for failing to protect their rights as a minority in the federal constitution when Malaya's independence was granted.

The rally is to petition Queen Elizabeth II for a Queen's Counsel to represent the Indian community in the suit, which was filed on Aug 30 in the United Kingdom. The sum sought is STG4 trillion (RM27.7 trillion) in compensation for the community from the British government. Second political secretary to the British High Commissioner Dawn Houghton said they will be ready to receive the petition on Sunday. "We are aware of their plans. Any demonstration is between Hindraf and the local authorities. There should be someone receiving the petition," she added. The application for a police permit was rejected by Cheras police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Amir Mohd Hashim who explained that the application had been made by an individual, rather than by the organisation. Under Section 27 of the Police Act 1967, any application for a permit to assemble in a public place must made by an organisation or jointly by three individuals. Police have expressed doubt as to the capability of the applicant to control the crowd, which could disrupt traffic as well as law and order.

In response, Hindraf legal adviser P. Uthayakumar described the reason cited by the police as "flimsy", explaining that the organisation is a coalition of NGOs and not a registered body in its own right. Uthayakumar also argued that the duty to control traffic and to ensure law and order lay with the police, not Hindraf. "In fact, we have told the police that we will have 100 people helping to organise this peaceful assembly," he said. Uthayakumar insisted the gathering would go on. It is expected to attract a large group of Indians. The MIC and police have warned the Indian community to stay away from the gathering, which is now deemed illegal.

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November 22, 2007 20:11 PM
Illegal Assembly Will Harm National Economy, Says IGP

MELAKA, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The planned illegal assembly on Sunday by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) is merely to stage a street protest that will harm the national economy. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan (ABOVE) said Hindraf had ulterior motive in holding the assembly, taking the cue from the Nov 10 street march staged by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) in collaboration with opposition parties. "To me, the illegal assembly will not only undermine internal security but also jeopardise the national economy. "Are they trying to show (to the world) that this country is in disarray, this is not right," he told reporters when responding to the protest gathering at the British High Commission at Jalan Ampang on Sunday.

The gathering is to submit a petition with 100,000 signatures to Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a Queen's Counsel to represent the Indian community in a class action suit against the British government for bringing Indians as labourers to the then Malaya and thereafter exploiting them. The suit, filed at the Royal Courts of Justice in London by Hindraf chief P. Wathyamoorthy in August, sought compensation of up to US$4 trillion (RM13.5 trillion), or US$1 million (RM3.4 million) for every Indian in Malaysia.

Musa advised the people to stay away from the gathering as police would take stern action against the protesters. Musa said based on the information he had received, Hindraf was fanning sensitivities of other races which may lead to racial clashes. "I understand undesirable elements will be used," he said.

The country's top cop also said children are barred from participating in the assembly and parents risk being charged in court if their children were caught attending the gathering. Under the Child Act 2001, children should not be manipulated for unlawful activities, he added.


In KUALA LUMPUR, City Police chief Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib( ABOVE) Baharuddin urged the public to steer clear of the gathering as no permit has been given by the police, rendering it illegal. He said Hindraf's second appeal to him for a police permit was rejected as police intelligence showed racial issues and sensitivities of other races that could harm prevailing racial harmony would be highlighted at the assembly. "We fear the gathering will spark racial friction leading to more serious crimes," he told a press conference. Zul Hasnan said people found to be directly or indirectly involved in the gathering would be detained and charged under Section 27 of the Police Act. He also advised the people not to wear orange colour clothing to avoid being mistaken as supporters and participants of the assembly.

= == = = = == nothing to worry with chemical-water Cannons & tear gas

November 22, 2007 21:38 PM

Let Police Handle Illegal Assembly - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the police will handle any illegal demonstration held in the city over the weekend. "Let the police handle it. Illegal demonstrations only inconvenience the public," he told reporters here today. Najib was asked to comment on a protest planned by the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) in front of the British High Commission's office here on Sunday. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said today police will take stern action should the planned demonstration proceed and urged the public to stay away from it as it could touch the sensitivities of other races and spark racial friction.

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007/11/21, NST

Hindraf claims absurd, says Samy Vellu
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Indians are free to join the demonstration planned by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) if they believe its claims are true, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said yesterday.
However, he described the statement by Hindraf that the status of Indians had not improved since independence and "our economic situation is likened to one living in the 19th century", as absurd. He was commenting on the planned gathering by the group in front of the British High Commission here this Sunday to hand over a memorandum to Queen Elizabeth II of Britain. Hindraf was luring Indians with a claim that they stand to receive a compensation of RM1 million each from the British government, said Samy Vellu, who is also Works Minister.

It was reported that on Aug 30, it filed a class-action suit against the British government for bringing Indians to Malaysia as indentured labourers and exploiting them for 150 years, and thereafter failing to protect their rights under the Federal Constitution on independence. The sum sought was STG4 trillion (RM27.7 trillion) or about RM1 million for every Indian currently residing in Malaysia after paying for legal proceedings.

Asked what action would be taken against MIC members who joined the gathering, he said the party would decide later. Samy Vellu was speaking at the Tenaga Nasional Berhad Deepavali celebrations 2007 at TNB's headquarters here where 150 orphans from several homes in the city were given ang pow of RM50 each and guests entertained to traditional Indian dances and delicacies. Later, after closing the 7th National Symposium of Tamil school headmasters in Seri Kembangan, Samy Vellu said his lawyers in London had told him that Hindraf had not filed a case but had only given notice to file a case. "SMSes going around are saying that the British government wants the support of not less than 100,000 people to be able to take action against the Malaysian government.

"I spoke to the British High Commission and they said they have nothing to do with this," he added. Meanwhile, police have called on the public to stay away from the planned gathering. Cheras police chief ACP Ahmad Amir Mohd Hashim said yesterday that Hindraf's application for the gathering was rejected last Friday as it could lead to trouble and disrupt public order. However, he said the organisers could appeal to the Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Zulhasnan Najib Baharudin by today. Ahmad Amir also warned the public that action could be taken against those involved in an illegal gathering.

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ABOVE: NGO M Dharma and BELOW: NGO Ramesh Kodammal also advised "Don't Go", bad for businesses (opening on a Sunday?)
Stay away from Hindraf rally, Indians warned

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC has called on the Indian community to stay away from a planned gathering in front of the British High Commission on Sunday.

It said the organisers of the rally, the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), was a front for the opposition.Disciplinary action would be taken against party members participating in the event, which had been widely covered in Tamil dailies.
MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said yesterday the organisers were irresponsible as they would not take the blame in the event of any untoward incidents. "In the end, the community will be the real loser."
The organisers plan to present 100,000 signatures in a petition to Queen Elizabeth II for a Queen's Counsel to represent the Indian community in a representative action filed on Aug 30 in the United Kingdom seeking STG4 trillion (RM27.7 trillion) in compensation for the community from the British government.

ABOVE: MIC Datuk M Sarawan, "don't go"

He said the MIC was not against social activism but felt it must be within reason. "They must be realistic and work towards objectives that are realistic." Subramaniam also said that several SMSes on the gathering were being circulated, with one stating that each Indian would get RM100,000 if the case was won. He said MIC was worried that irresponsible people would take advantage of the gathering to create trouble. MIC Youth chief S. A. Vigneswaran said the SMSes were dangerous as they fanned racial hatred. Meanwhile, police yesterday raided the Bangsar office of lawyer P. Uthayakumar, one of the leaders of Hindraf, in search of an allegedly seditious publication. City Criminal Investigation Department chief SAC II Ku Chin Wah said they had obtained a warrant to look for a publication titled 50 Years of Violation of the Federal Constitution by the Malaysian Government. He said the action was related to a function held by Hindraf at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall last July.

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