(source: wwwpolicewatchmalaysia.com)
26th March 2007: The Geneva based International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the London based Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) have expressed concern and held a watching brief at these public interest litigation proceedings. The Bar Council of Malaysia and the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee also sent their representatives. A group of five (5) lawyers represented P Uthayakumar. This is with reference to the:
1) Public Interest litigation vide Kuala Lumpur High Court (Criminal No.4) No.44-152-2006 on the independence of lawyers and to stop the unconstitutional and unlawful Hindu temple demolishments by the Malaysian Government between Uthayakumar a/l Ponnusamy v Dato Seri Khir Toyo & 9 other government officials etc filed on 18/12/2006.
2) Contempt of Court Proceedings vide Kuala Lumpur High Court (Criminal No.4) No. 44-16-2007 by Uthayakumar a/l Ponnusamy v Dato’ Seri Khir Toyo, President of the Kajang Municipal Council, District Officer of Kajang and the Enforcement Chief of Kajang Municipal Council etc for the demolishment of the Sri Muniswarar Hindu temple in Semenyih on 29/12/2007.
[See Khir Toyo in Temple Demolitions, 25.4.07 ]
However, the Kuala Lumpur High Court asked for a return submission on the aforesaid matters and are yet to fix a date for the proceedings.
“In the interim our international campaign to halt the aforesaid unconstitutional and unlawful Hindu temple demolishments by the Malaysian Government would proceed as scheduled” said Mr P Uthayakumar.
29th June 2007: Protest note submitted to The Hon. Attorney General of Malaysia. “UPHOLD CONSTITUTION AND THE LAW, PROSECUTE HINDU TEMPLE DEMOLISHMENT CRIMINALS WHO ARE DEMOLISHING HINDU TEMPLES WITH IMPUNITY AND STOP HINDU TEMPLE DEMOLISHMENTS IN MALAYSIA.â€
[See Open Letter to AG, 29.6.07]
30/7/07, 11.00 am: Latest demolition of the Temple, Sri Maha Periachi Amman Hindu Temple, Paya Tambak, Malacca. The deities were smashed up and thrown together with the rubble and taken away
2/8/07: The Hindu Rights Action Force handed over a protest note to the Chief Minister of Malacca, for the demolition of the Sri Maha Periachiamman Hindu Temple on 30th July 2007. For more details and to read the protest note, check the website: Police Watch Malaysia
12/8/07: A peaceful demonstration on minority rights was held and a letter submitted to the Prime Minister Y.A.B. Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. to present their 18 point demands amongst them were:-
(1) End 50 years of violations of the Malaysian Federal Constitution.
(2) End racism, end Islamic extremism and end Malay privileges on
the 50th year golden jubilee mega Independence celebrations of Malaysia on
31st August 2007.
(3) Call for affirmative action plans for all poor Malaysians especially the ethnic
minority Indians.
However they only managed an audience with Senior Private Secretary of PM, En.Hamdan Bin Yaakob. This letter was submitted on behalf of the Indians by lawyer P Uthayakumar, who is also the Legal advisor for HINDRAF. Two further contempt of court proceedings are going to be filed against the demolitions of the Hindu places of worship, said Mr Uthayakumar.
Freedom of speech and freedom of religion is part of the Federal Constitution Rights as our forefathers unilaterally agreed upon attaining Independence. As Abraham Lincoln, no one is above the Law and Law is made for the People and it is the creation by the People, therefore equality in all aspects is necesary and the way forward to foster unity within the nation. Malaysia, after 50 years of independence, is yet to achieve the vision of our forefathers, hidden agendas are tearing apart the golden dream of our Father’s of the Constitution.
Dear Hindraf Members,
I was there on Sunday to see for myself the struggle made to submit the memorandum. Although some of the ideas seem far fetched or radical maybe, I support your move to make a point to the government to take note.
However, I noticed not all were involved or supportive during the event, some even threated the event as a joke which is a disgrace to your cause.
Anyway I hope in the future, a more organised attempt is made.
Was there any positive feedback from the government, did they reply to your memorandum or letter asking for a meetup to be arranged?
Hope you could seek audience of royalties and get them to understand your issues, they seem more understanding based on the statements made by YTM Raja Nazrin and Sultan Salahuddin as well as Perlis Sultan recently.
All the best!
Let us speak Malayalam then!