Thesun 2009-05-12 Page06 Hindraf Leader To Come Home

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theSun

| TUESDAY MAY 12 2009

news without borders

Hindraf leader to come home KUALA LUMPUR: Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairman P. Waythamoorthy announced yesterday his plan to return to Malaysia despite risks of incarceration after a yearand-a-half of self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom His decision comes after the remaining three Hindraf leaders were released from the Internal Security Act (ISA) detention facility in Kamunting over the weekend. The other two Hindraf leaders were released earlier in April. “Now that my comrades have been released, I have decided that I shall return to Malaysia to continue and forge ahead with the objectives and goals of Hindraf in seeking what it had originally set out to, even at the risk of me being arrested under ISA or any other repressive laws.” Waythamoorthy left for the UK in late 2007 after five Hindraf leaders, including his recently released brother, P. Uthayakumar, were detained under the ISA. Waythamoorthy said the likelihood of arrest did not scare him as “the objective to obtain the release of the Hindraf lawyers had been achieved and now it is the time to press forward with the objectives of the community that has

been systematically discriminated, marginalised and sidelined for 52 years.” He also added that Hindraf had gained strong support and even if he was arrested, there would be others who would come forward to pursue the causes of the organisation. This was also echoed by Uthayakumar on his release from Kamunting over the weekend. “I could see many people are supporting the cause as we have been marginalised and I think we have a platform to seek for better welfare of the Indian community,” he said in a report by Malaysiakini.

Murugiah gets death threat PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk T. Murugiah received a death threat in the form of two bullet casings in his office here yesterday. It is learnt that Murugiah, who found the casings packed in a box at 2.30pm, had also received a note warning him to not contest in the PPP (Peoples’ Progressive Party) elections. The note read: “Don’t ever contest Datuk Kayveas, not only president’s post but don’t contest any post in PPP party elections. Don’t be a hero. I will

finish you. Don’t fight if not this bullet shells will turn into life (sic) bullet in your head. Bang! Bang!” The deputy minister lodged a report in the Putrajaya police headquarters. Kuala Lumpur, CPO DCP Datuk Wira Mohd Sabtu Osman said police are investigating the case for criminal intimidation. It was reported last week that Murugiah was embroiled in internal issues within his party for alleged money politics and for shirking his duties as party division chief.

Tee Keat suggests names of late leaders for new schools MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat says new Chinese primary schools can be named after late party leaders in memory of their contributions to the Chinese community, Nanyang Siang Pau reported yesterday. He said that had it not been for their contributions and the foundation built by the founding members, the 60-year-old party would not have achieved what it has today. Speaking at the Johor state-level MCA 60th anni-

Press Digest by Kong See Hoh

[email protected]

versary celebration in Johor Baru on Sunday, Ong, who is also Johor MCA liaison chief, said the party must go back to its roots, back to the spirit of oneness between MCA and Chinese community in order to strive for the betterment of the community. Going back to its roots means going back to the new

villages, the cradle of the party, Ong said, adding that the party has to organise more activities in new villages. Ong, who is also transport minister, pointed out that there was a drain of manpower from these villages, leaving only the children and the elderly settlers behind. He hoped that young people would return to the new villages to help develop them.

‘Allow setting up of Confucius Institute’ JIAO ZONG (United Chinese School Teachers Association) president Ong Kow Yee said the government should adopt a more open-minded policy to allow for the setting up of the Confucius Institute in Malaysia. He told Sin Chew Daily on Sunday that Hanban, the executive body of Chinese Language Council International, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation affiliated to China’s Education Ministry, has already set up 256 Confucius Institutes throughout the world in collaboration with foreign universities. The United States alone has 53 Confucius Institutes and four Confucius Schools, making it an important overseas pillar in the propagation of the Chinese language and culture.

“But in Malaysia, Dong Jiao Zong (the collective name for Dong Zong – United Chinese School Committees Association – and Jiao Zong) has not been successful in setting up the Confucius Institute despite its many attempts over the years, mainly because China (Hanban) is hesitant (in extending its expertise in the setting of the institute) without the green light from the Malaysian government,” he said. He said Hanban’s main target of collaboration is universities. However, he said, as a community movement tasked with the development of Chinese language in the country, Dong Jiao Zong was more than willing to help set up the Confucius Institute if no Malaysian university was interested.

Confucius Institute aims to promote Chinese language learning and teaching and the understanding of the Chinese culture. Ong said the economic rise of China had led to a craze to learn the Chinese language and culture in many parts of the world where governments hoped to grab a slice of the Chinese economic pie. “Hanban provides the Confucius institutes with grants and teaching staff. Setting up such institutes in the country would also give non-Chinese an opportunity to learn the language,” said Ong. He hoped that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s coming official trip to China would lead to the setting up of the first Confucius Institute in Malaysia.

Klang council to help feed abandoned strays by Hemananthani Sivanandam [email protected]

KLANG: Local authorities have agreed to feed some 300 starving stray dogs dumped on two uninhabited islands near Pulau Ketam. They will also trap and spay the animals on Pulau Tengah and Pulau Selat Kering. These were among the measures agreed yesterday at a meeting of five NGOs, municipal councillors, heads of state departments and assemblymen. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will work with Furry Friends Farm (FFF) which has

been sending teams to rescue the dogs. Both SPCA and FFF will be assisted by a Pulau Ketam resident who wishes to be identified as Lo. Lo has volunteered his time to help the NGOs distribute the food to the dogs. Save A Stray founder Jacqueline Tsang said Lo would be the right person to help SPCA and FFF as he knows the location of the dogs. The dogs will be trapped by FFF and the Klang Municipal Council while the Veterinary Services Department will spay the animals. Veterinary officer Dr Hamdan Ahmad said he was glad a short-term solution was found for a pressing problem.

Immigration D-G is new Home Ministry sec-gen KUALA LUMPUR: Immigration Director-General Datuk Mahmood Adam has been appointed the Home Ministry’s secretary-general, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan announced yesterday. His appointment takes effect today. Mahmood, 56, succeeds Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof who was appointed Election Commission chairman on Dec 31. Mahmood, who was appointed Immigration director-general on July 21 last year, was the Dewan Rakyat secretary between 2006 and 2007. Mohd Sidek also announced the appointment of Immigration Deputy Director-General (Management) Abdul Rahman Othman, 51, as the new Immigration director-general. – Bernama

“However, a long-term solution through education needs to be looked into.” Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam said: “It’s a good start and I’m satisfied with the overall outcome.” Tsang said it was the first time activists and NGOs have come forward to work together “without competing with each other” for the purpose of saving dogs. “I’m happy that our (SAS) proposal (to save the dogs) was accepted. We will find alternate shelters for the animals,” she said. It was announced yesterday that PAWS (Paws Animal Welfare Society) had offered to take in 20 dogs.

Tee Keat’s briefcase missing JOHOR BARU: MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat lost a briefcase when his friend’s Toyota Estima was broken into in Taman Perling, here. Johor police chief Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said police received a report from Ong’s friend, believed to be an MCA member, at 5pm on Sunday, claiming his car was broken into and the briefcase was missing. “Also missing was a briefcase belonging to Ong’s bodyguard,” he said yesterday. Mohd Mokhtar said following the incident, police arrested 11 people aged between 25 and 30 to help in the investigation. He said the briefcase was believed to contain several important documents, but police have not yet recorded a statement from Ong. – Bernama