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KL leaders hit out at Hindu group
Sun, Dec 09, 2007 The Straits Times
LANGKAWI - TOP Malaysian leaders have stepped up pressure on Hindraf, the controversial Hindu activist group, with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak declaring it 'extremist' and adding that it had 'exceeded the limits' and violated the law. Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein also said in a statement yesterday that the Internal Security Act (ISA) - which allows for detention without trial - should be invoked if probes reveal that the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) poses a threat to public peace. The remarks by Datuk Seri Najib followed comments by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, police chief Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail about Hindraf allegedly seeking links with terrorist groups.

He identified the other group as the RSS, a hardline organisation in India.

These charges were widely seen as preparing the ground for impending arrests of leaders of the Hindu rights group.

'Hindraf has exceeded the limits, many people say Hindraf has gone beyond the tolerable limit...they have violated the law,' DPM Najib said yesterday.

'Anyone involved in activities linked to violence and terrorism must accept that action can be taken against them just like other extremist groups.'

Echoing the government line, the Umno-controlled New Straits Times said in a front-page editorial: 'No matter how regrettable, the subversives of Hindraf need to be reminded why all Malaysians have to live with the prospect of detention for those few who revel in attempting to destroy the national concord that millions have spent decades to build.'

Hindraf leaders have said that officials are trying to link them with the Tamil Tigers so that they could be branded extremists, and then locked up under the ISA.

But doing so could raise eyebrows, both at home and abroad, and the Malaysian government has been weighing the fallout against the need to uphold order and prevent a racial flare-up.

Yesterday, Hindraf's de facto leader filed a police report against Malaysia's prime minister, the Attorney-General and police chief for claiming his group has possible terrorist links.

'These allegations? I just laugh at them,' Mr P. Uthayakumar said after lodging the report at a police station in Kuala Lumpur.

Taking a tough stand on Friday, the government revoked the licence of Hindraf Enterprise, a company set up by the group to receive donations.

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Selangor said he was 'upset' with Hindraf, in a rare royal rebuke from a ceremonial ruler.

'I am disappointed with what Hindraf has done. I am upset. There are better ways of doing things. To stage a protest and fight with the police, I cannot accept. This is not the way to do things in Malaysia,' said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia's foreign missions have been asked to explain the actual position of Malaysian Indians to counter Hindraf's accusations.

Bernama, The Star/Asia News Network, AP