The Hindu Rights Action Force’s (Hindraf) is organising a nationwide protest in a final bid to force the DAP-led Penang government to save what they claim is the last Indian cultural heritage village on the island.
On Wednesday, the outlawed organisation, which was credited with delivering the bulk of Indian votes to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in last year’s general elections, will mobilise its members to gather outside Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s office at Komtar.
They plan to burn an effigy of the DAP secretary-general.
Others will also protest the forced eviction and demolition of Kampung Buah Pala at DAP headquarters in Ipoh, Petaling Jaya and Seremban.
National coordinator S. Jayathas told The Malaysian Insider that the drastic action was warranted as the demolition would take place on Thursday and Hindraf needed to show its seriousness in the matter.
“If PR state governments can give land to Chinese and Malays, then why not Indians? If they cannot even solve this, then what is the different between Umno and DAP?” he said.
Hindraf supporters have in recent months expressed dissatisfaction at PR due to what is perceived as broken promises.
The bulk of Indian voters had supported the fledgling alliance in hopes that it would rectify the disenfranchisement felt by the Indian community.
A number of Hindraf members led by former Hindraf leader RS Thanenthiran have also formed the Malaysian Makkal Sakthi Party, a breakaway party that appears friendly towards Barisan Nasional.
Kampung Buah Pala, sits on a 2.6ha piece of prime land in the rapidly developing eastern Georgetown.
The current 300 villagers and their ancestors, mostly of Tamil origins, have been living in the village for nearly 200 years.
A few weeks ago, Hindraf founder P. Uthayakumar had called on Lim to use his powers as chief minister to save Kampung Buah Pala from developers as provided in Section 76 of the National Land Code.
He said that Lim could do so “with a stroke of the pen” and provide a different plot of land to the developers should it be unable to pay compensation.
The residents association have also offered to buy the land from the state government.
2 comments:
Residents of Kampung Buah Pala outcry for help is ignored by none other then the dramatic hero Rayer
who said would give his life for the people of Kampung Buah Pala or popularly known as High Chaparral.
Residents were shocked to know they have less then a week to vacate their houses and Rayer
when missing when they needed him the most. Kampung Buah Pala Association attempt to
meet the Chief Minister failed as he don’t have time to meet the people now whereas Rayer
and the CM had all the time to meet the residents during election.
Residents were also told that a win-win discussion is being held and disappointing to know
that the win-win is between the developer and state government. What an opportunist!
None of the discussion was for the betterment of the residents however the resident
will have to pack and leave their homes which they have lived over decades. Now they
have not only lost their homes but they are left with no trust on their new government
Outraged with the frustration Residents are now calling upon Seri Delima
Assemblyman Rayer to step down and by-election to held soon. Rayer was not there when his
people needed him the most.
Knowing the residents plight, the previous government BN came out with compensation to their
residents which would help them to find a new home and settle down however turned
down by the residents themselves. After the new government took over, many attempts has
been made by MIC representatives to embrace and cherish the events organized by the
residents of Kampung Buah Pala however Rayer refused to attend the events if there is
MIC participation. Obviously, Rayer had his own agenda lined up.
Despite all above How can we help the Penang Indians who are in need of aid?
J.Dhinagaran
Dear Folks
By looking at recent incidents since General Elections 2008, something that puzzle me the most is why are our fellow Indians are making a fool of them self by public demonstrating and other acts that are deemed nuisance in the eyes of other races. A good example can be seen in By elections in Bukit Selambau with having more than 5 candidates. Other than that, clown acts b y certain leaders in Hindraft who branch them self and set up new parties. In look closer, Indians are only 1.8 million population but has the highest number of parties of 5 who claimed they represent the community, effectively Does this sound like a laughing joke for the other communities
Even a close Malay and chinese friends of mine have once asked why are indians are seen to be behaving like thugs, muggers, known for all infamous crime and problematic in a sense of looking out for their own personal gain and agenda.
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