Delhi decides: Row in Malaysia not its business

INDIAN ANGER: Ethnic Indians in Kuala Lampur during a protest rally on November 25.

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New Delhi: The Centre has distanced itself from the protests by ethnic Indians in Malaysia after an Indian group there was charged with seeking help from terrorists.

“Terrorists have no nationality. In respect of any terrorist connection, all countries are entitled to take any appropriate action according to their laws and international conventions,” said External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The statement comes after two senior Malaysian officials accused the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) of “actively canvassing for support and assistance from terrorist groups".

Malaysia's Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan said recent investigations have revealed that HINDRAF "has been actively canvassing for support and assistance from terrorist groups".

Hassan also accused HINDRAF of giving a "twisted and distorted picture" to the international community on the status of Indians in Malaysia.

Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail said concerns have surfaced that HINDRAF is trying to establish links with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). “Police have started investigating—this is not a game. It is a very serious matter. I think everyone is worried if there is a connection” with the LTTE.

HINDRAF leader P Uthayakumar, while speaking to CNN-IBN, rejected the allegations and said he would sue Hassan for 10 million ringgit (Rs 118,145,886.18) if he didn't give evidence for his charges within seven days.

"The IG’s statement is ridiculous. We have made appeals and sent hundreds of memorandums to the government—we were peaceful. They can't engage us on international confrontation so they're resorting to cheap methods,” said Uthayakumar.

“The last event saw a large number of people coming out in support of HINDRAF, and as the government can't frame any charges, they're getting back at us in this manner to arrest us under the draconian International Security Act. We'll go to the court but don't have too much hope from it but we have to do something."

Uthayakumar and two other HINDRAF leaders will appear in court on Monday, when the Malaysian government will seek to overturn a judicial decision that allowed them to walk free from sedition charges in November.

Fears of ethnic unrest have emerged in Malaysia after some 20,000 people participated in a November 25 rally in Kuala Lumpur, the largest protest in years involving Indians, who form 8 percent of the population.

HINDRAF, which organized the protest, is demanding equality and fair treatment for Indians, saying an affirmative action program that gives preferential treatment to Muslim Malays is tantamount to racial discrimination.

Malays make up about 60 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people and control the government, which denies there is discrimination and says the fruits of economic progress are shared by all.

(With the Associated Press)