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 | Sickening silence: Govt ignores outrage in Malaysia Our Correspondent Abandoned by the Indian Government, supported by the American Government—this is the story of the Hindus of Malaysia. For it is Washington, and not New Delhi, that has backed the five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) who are agitating against the bigotry and racism of Kuala Lumpur. They face the prospect of being charged with the draconian Internal Security Act. Malaysia Premier Abdullah Badawi has brazenly defended his Government's decision to invoke the tough law against Hindraf leaders. "These actions could be deemed as treachery," he said. Were it not for the grave matter of persecution and discrimination against the Hindus, his accusations against the agitating leaders would have been laughable. He said Hindraf's contentions of "ethnic cleansing" and marginalisation of ethnic-Indians had damaged Malaysia's image; this could adversely impact the perception of investors and tourists. Yes, Mr Abdullah, you country's image has taken a beating, but it is solely because of the repressive and unfair character of your regime. It is not only Islamic fundamentalism that is in the ascendance and which your Government is supporting but also your racist policies that are besmirching your nation. As Mohamed Nawab Bin Mohamed Osman, an academic associated with the Singapore-based Nanyang Technological University, wrote recently: "Malaysia's 'bumiputra' policy—aimed at rectifying the economic disparity between Malays and other communities—has led to the economic marginalisation of those of Indian origin. The recent Ninth Malaysian Plan report highlighted that Indians control only 1.2 per cent of corporate wealth—a decline from the earlier 1.5 per cent." The tragedy is that when the Hindus protest against racism, they are persecuted. The US has reacted sharply to the persecution. "Our expectation as a government is that these individuals [Hindraf protesters] would be provided the full protections under Malaysian law, that they would be given due process, that they would be accorded all the rights accorded to any other citizen, and that this be done in a speedy and transparent manner," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. "It is our firm position that those individuals who want to peacefully express themselves in a political forum or any other forum should be allowed to do so." The United Progressive Alliance Government, which claims to be solicitous of Indian Diaspora and even set up a ministry for this purpose, is practically silent over issue. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did make some noises but a snub by Malaysia did not elicit any rejoinder from him. What he and his Government is really afraid of the local mullahs rather than tyrants in Kuala Lumpur. Such are the consequences of Muslim appeasement. Posted on : 12/17/2007 Mail this article to your friend |