Ethnic Indians protest in Malaysia - Al Jazeera

Malaysian police clashed with activists demanding greater representation for the country's ethnic Indian minority.

It is the second illegal demonstration in recent years by the Hindu Rights Action Force.

The rally in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, comes days after the government announced early elections.

Teymoor Nabili reports.

160 arrested in Hindraf's 'rose' rally - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Police arrested 160 Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters who took part in its “rose” campaign Dataran Merdeka area Saturday and nine of them, including a woman have been held for further investigations.

They will be brought to court for remand orders to be made against them Sunday.

Of the 160 arrested, 138 were men and 22 were women, including an 11-year-old girl. The girl was later released.

The Hindraf supporters with children holding roses had planned to gather outside the Parliament building and the leaders wanted to hand over a memorandum on improving the lot of the Indian community.

Police had earlier declared the gathering illegal and set up roadblocks and closed the road leading to the Parliament building. The road closures resulted in Hindraf changing their destination to the Suhakam office at Jalan Raja Laut.

Police started to fire tear gas canisters and spray water cannons at 9.20am on Jalan Raja Laut after repeated warnings for the crowd to disperse went unheeded.

Many of the supporters scattered to the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Masjid Jamek areas. Then the police began detaining those who refused to budge.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/16/nation/20080216221638&sec=nation]

Ethnic Indians Rally in Malaysia Demanding Rights, Defy Police - Bloomberg

By Manirajan Ramasamy and Soraya Permatasari

Feb. 16 (Bloomberg) -- About 200 Malaysian ethnic Indians defied a police order and rallied in the capital today demanding equal rights and the release of supporters held without trial as tensions rise three weeks before the country holds elections.

Carrying banners and roses, members of the Hindu Rights Action Force, or Hindraf, gathered near the city hall in Kuala Lumpur at 9 a.m. local time. Fifteen minutes later police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the group and arrested dozens of participants.

Hindraf, which is holding its second rally in three months, is demanding an end to alleged racial discrimination in a country where the government gives the ethnic Malay majority preferential treatment for jobs and homes. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has struggled to contain racial tension in his first term, and is targeting a smaller parliamentary majority at the March 8 ballot.

Authorities on Dec. 12 arrested five members of the group under the Internal Security Act, a law that allows for indefinite detention without trial. The order was signed by Abdullah.

``While the yellow roses are a symbol of our cry for justice, we seek the immediate release of Hindraf's five leaders,'' the group said in a statement before today's rally. ``We are going to Parliament as it is a symbol of justice.''

[More at http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aBXTy5O7nVxs&refer=home]

Hadi has no confidence, says Abdullah - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took a swipe at Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang for stating that he wanted to contest in Kepala Batas, saying that the PAS president has no confidence in recapturing Terengganu.

The Prime Minister said Abdul Hadi’s statement that he was willing to stand in his (Abdullah’s) parliamentary seat showed that he knew he could not win in his own state.

“He said he wants to contest in Terengganu, then after that, he wants to go somewhere else. This means he knows he cannot win and is looking at other constituencies,” he said after chairing the Barisan and Umno supreme council meetings yesterday.

In Setiu, Terengganu Barisan chief Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said Abdul Hadi knew that his support had diminished in his Rhu Rendang constituency and was now “trying his luck” elsewhere.

On Wednesday, Abdul Hadi said he was prepared to face the Prime Minister in his Kepala Batas parliamentary constituency.

“(Abdul) Hadi is afraid of losing here and he is quickly looking for another constituency.

“However, he is free to contest anywhere. PAS had lost its confidence in Terengganu,” Idris said after launching the Gelombang Biru 66 election campaign at Batu Rakit, Setiu, yesterday.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/2/15/election2008/20338589&sec=Election2008]

Election 2008: Highlights and controversies - NST

The 11th parliament drew up several pioneering legislation but at the same time, threw up controversies, which spilled outside the chamber and into public domain. Here are some of the major events that shaped life in the 11th parliament

1. MPs began the 11th session of parliament on May 17, 2004 with new1 leather seats, plush carpets and giant LCD screens to monitor proceedings, following the RM50 million refurbishment of parliament house.

Not only were the refurbishments meant to upgrade the 40-year-old building, they were carried out to accommodate the increased number of parliament seats from 194 to 219. But at the end of its first session, the roof leaked and it created a public furore.

2. Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) was referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee for misleading the house during the swearing-in ceremony before Speaker Tun Mohamed Zahir Ismail on May 17, 2004.

Karpal had questioned the legitimacy of the ceremony and this resulted in the disciplinary action. The committee found him guilty and Karpal was suspended without allowances and perks for six months.

3. For the first time in its 49-year history, the Dewan Negara on July 26, 2004, sent a bill back to the Dewan Rakyat to be re-tabled. In debating the Pesticides (Amendments) Bill 2004 passed by the lower house earlier, the Dewan Negara found that two words - "human beings" - had been excluded from the bill. The upper house was of the view that "human beings" should be among those protected against harmful pesticides.

Senator Datin Paduka Jaya Partiban who discovered the mistake became a celebrity of sorts and left Dewan Rakyat members red-faced.

4. After 22 years in office, Dewan Rakyat speaker Tun Mohamed Zahir Ismail died of renal failure on Oct 14, 2004. Highly respected for his cool demeanour, legal acumen and fair sense of judgment, Zahir held the distinction of being the longest-serving parliamentary speaker in Asia. Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib was appointed the new speaker. It was the first time that a sitting MP was voted into the position.

5. During the budget session on Oct 3, 2005, Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) and Datuk Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) were issued warnings by the whip for supporting an opposition motion. Both had supported a motion by Lim Kit Siang to refer International Trade and Industry Ministry secretary-general Datuk Sidek Hassan to the Rights and Privileges Committee. Both were given warnings by Chief Whip Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

6.On Nov 24, 2005, DAP MP for Seputeh, Teresa Kok, brought the attention of the public to a video recording of a woman forced to do squats in the nude. The recording, which was made on a mobile phone, resulted in public outcry over the police treatment of those detained in police lock-ups.

The outcry also led to the setting up of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into police standard operating procedures on arrest and detention.

7. Citing differences in opinion, Datuk Shahrir Samad quit as Barisan Nasional Backbenchers' Club chairman on May 4, 2006, when BN MPs did not follow his lead and support an opposition motion to refer the New Straits Times to the Rights and Privileges Committee. The motion was moved by opposition leader Lim Kit Siang following an NST report on an MP who had allegedly asked the Customs and Excise Department to "close one eye" in a case involving the import of sawn timber.

---

NOTABLE QUOTES

- May 25, 2004: "Crazy", "Animal, not fit to sit in the House." - Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) describing Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) after the latter interrupted opposition leader Lim Kit Siang during the debate on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address.

- Oct 13, 2004: "If the minister should be sacked, then replace him." - Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) on Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's handling of the Gua Tempurung mudslide.

- March 29, 2005: "TV1 and TV2 were fast 'asleep' while TV3 was showing an NBA basketball game. The only station which offered the breaking news was ntv7. I shudder to think what would happen if we did not have ntv7." - Dr James Dawos Mamit (BN-Mambong) expressing disappointment with local television stations which had failed to provide breaking news of the magnitude 8.7 earthquake which hit Sumatra the day before.

- July 6, 2005: "Maybe we can put all those infected with HIV/AIDS on an island and isolate them from others." - Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) offering an alternative to the government's plan to distribute free syringes and condoms to stem HIV/AIDS. He was debating the Syariah Court Evidence (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Bill 2005.

- Oct 4, 2005: "I am not willing to stand by and allow such fitnah against my family and me. Don't play around. If you say I am the queen, then you are the court jester. I'll sue you." - International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz telling off Lim Kit Siang (DAP- Ipoh Timur) when he questioned her about the awarding of APs (Approved Permits). Lim had earlier referred to Rafidah as the "AP Queen".

- Dec 1, 2005: "I will wonder whether the man who wanted to marry me has a hidden agenda. Does he really want to marry me or does he want the money." - Women, Family and Community Development Ministry parliamentary secretary Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun dismissing a proposal by Datuk Idris Harun (BN-Tangga Batu) that "some kind of incentive" should be given by the government to men who marry single mothers with children as they were doing a good deed.

- April 10, 2006: "RTM is always changing channel names just like it is always changing ministers and deputy ministers. So much money is spent on changing names and the image of these stations." - Datuk Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) replying to Deputy Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datok), who had pointed out that Mohamed had mentioned "TV1 and TV2" when the stations had changed their names to "RTM1 and RTM2".

- April 26, 2006: "The main reason for the large number of failed marriages is because female divorcees are gatal and are easily spotted at functions through their gatal behaviour. It is as if they have no regrets over their divorce." - Abdul Fatah Harun (Pas-Rantau Panjang) commenting on divorcees when Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil was winding up her debate on the Ninth Malaysia Plan. He later withdrew the word from his remarks after being urged to do so by female and male MPs.

- May 11, 2006: "All of us have two eyes, but some see with one eye, while some don't even use their eyes. Maybe the ministry can do something concerning this and teach MPs right and wrong." - Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) to Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN-Jasin), referring to the incident where Mohd Said had asked the Customs and Excise Department to "close one eye" on a consignment handled by his forwarding agency.

- May 9, 2007: "What is the problem? The member of parliament for Batu Gajah also leaks once a month." - Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) and Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN-Jasin), equating leaks in parliament house to Fong Po Kuan's (DAP-Batu Gajah) menstrual cycle. Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang had drawn attention to the leaks when Mohd Said and Bung Mokhtar, displeased that the matter had been raised, had made the comments. They both issued brief apologies on May 14 on the insistence of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil.


[From http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/2157519/Article/index_html]

"No PM has the prerogative to tell lies publicly": Kit Siang - Malaysiakini.tv

Parliamentary Opposition leader, Lim Kit Siang, says that no prime minister has the prerogative to tell lies publicly.

PM dissolves Parliament - Malaysiakini.tv

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today announced the dissolution ofthe Parliament at a specially arranged press conference at his officein Putrajaya.

I won't call election ... oh alright, I will - AFP

From correspondents in Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has dissolved parliament to pave the way for snap elections which are expected to see the ruling coalition's majority eroded.

Yesterday Mr Abdullah had tried to quell the rumours that he would dissolve parliament on the 13th - his favourite number - telling reporters: "No, it won't be tomorrow".

Mr Abdullah's popularity has plummeted as the nation is beset by mounting racial tensions, unprecedented street protests, anger over rising fuel and food prices, and high crime rates.

Announcing that the king had consented to dissolve parliament, Mr Abdullah indicated he did not expect a repeat of the 2004 landslide when the Barisan Nasional coalition seized some 90 per cent of parliamentary seats.

"2004 was a special election and it was extraordinary. I pray that BN will get at least two-thirds of the votes in the upcoming election," he said.

"I hope voters will understand the issues affecting our country objectively," he said, adding that the Election Commission would decide on the polling date.

[More at http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23207629-401,00.html]

Parliament Dissolved Today For 12th General Election - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today announced the dissolution of Parliament to pave the way for the 12th general election.

The announcement was made at a media conference at his office here and telecast live on RTM1 at noon.

The prime minister also advised all the state governments, except Sarawak, to dissolve their state assemblies to enable the state elections to be held simultaneously.

He said he had an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin this morning and had received his consent to dissolve the 11th Parliament.

The dissolution of this Parliament was made 15 months before the expiry of its five-year term on May 16, 2009.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=313580]

Parliament won’t be dissolved today, says PM - The Star

BANGI: Parliament will not be dissolved today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi put an end to such speculation, telling reporters here yesterday: “Esok tak ada (No, it won’t be tomorrow)”.

He also denied that today’s Cabinet meeting would be the last with his present team of ministers before Parliament is dissolved to pave the way for the next general election.

“What makes you think that? How do you know it’s going to be the last Cabinet meeting (before elections are called)?” he asked when responding to a question.

Asked if there would be more Cabinet meetings with the present team, Abdullah said: “Yes, there will be more.”

The Cabinet meets every Wednesday. The Prime Minister’s comments yesterday means it is still a guessing game as to when the polls would be called.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/13/nation/20311649&sec=nation]

Mukhriz: My father will never support the opposition - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth executive council member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said this is not the time to change direction and stressed the importance of continuing with the current leadership.

He was commenting on reports which quoted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as saying that there had been no "gentleman's agreement" between him and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that he would only serve as prime minister for one term.

Mukhriz said his father would neither oppose the government nor support the opposition.

"My father will never support the opposition. He has fought the opposition all his life."

Mukhriz, the movement's International Relations and Non-Governmental Organisations Bureau chairman, said this after accepting a RM100,000 donation for Aman Malaysia's Gaza Humanitarian Fund from Cheras Umno and the Cheras Education Foundation, represented by Senator Datuk Syed Ali Al-Habshee.

Instead, Mukhriz, who is also Aman Malaysia's co-ordinator, said the opposition would try to manipulate the issue to its own advantage and attempt to sow confusion among the people.

"I think both their remarks would strengthen Umno."

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2148090/Article/index_html]

PM: There was no gentleman’s agreement between me and Mahathir - The Star

By Shahanaaz Habib

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said there was no gentleman’s agreement between him and his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that he (Abdullah) be prime minister only for a term.

“No such thing,” the Prime Minister told reporters yesterday after he launched Pavilion, the latest upmarket shopping mall here.

Asked why he thought Dr Mahathir felt that there was such an agreement, he said, “Each person has his own views.”

When reporters pressed him further on the so-called gentleman’s agreement, Abdullah brushed it aside saying, “Why are you so interested in this? There was nothing.”

Three days ago, the former prime minister had claimed that he had a gentleman’s agreement when he handed over power to Abdullah in 2003, that the latter would stay on for one term only and subsequently pass over the mantle to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

On the general election, Abdullah indicated that it was close.

Asked whether he had received inspiration to call for the election, he replied, “I am about to.”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/1/nation/20203570&sec=nation]

CM Koh still coy on federal move - The Star

KEPALA BATAS: Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon continues to evade questions on whether he will remain in Penang or move to the federal level.

“It depends on whether you want me or not. Do you want me or not?” Dr Koh, who is in his fourth term as Chief Minister, replied when asked by reporters if he had made up his mind on his political future.

Last week, Gerakan adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik was quoted as saying that Dr Koh, 59, was still the best man to lead Penang for the time being.

He said Dr Koh should contest a state seat in the coming general election rather than switch to a parliamentary seat.

Dr Koh said he would reveal his plans when the time was right.

“Just be patient. He (Dr Lim) has his own opinion. I thank him for his confidence (in me),” he said.

“At the same time, I also thank (DAP secretary-general) Lim Guan Eng for his confidence in me to go federal. He looks like he is very anxious for me to go.”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/1/18/nation/20043588&sec=nation]

Minister resigns over sex tape scandal - AFP

From correspondents in Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIA'S former health minister accused his political "enemies" of orchestrating the release of a video showing him having sex with an unidentified woman in a hotel room.

The scandal engulfing Chua Soi Lek, 61, who resigned Wednesday, is the latest in a series of problems facing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's government ahead of elections which he is expected to call this year.

State news agency Bernama reported that Mr Chua - the most senior minister to leave the government so far - said the media's role in highlighting his work had led certain groups to target him, but he did not name any specific organisations.

"The press helped to kill me, to be honest," Mr Chua, who is married with three children, told an impromptu press conference after clearing out his office.

Mr Chua was also vice president of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a key part of Mr Abdullah's coalition government, before the scandal over the widely circulated tape sparked his resignation.

"The press will always say Dr Chua is one who may be mounting a challenge against the (MCA) deputy president, against the (MCA) president," he said.

[More at http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23004680-1702,00.html]

Radzi wants Shahidan to go - The Star

By Sira Habibu

KANGAR: The much talked about rift between Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim is out in the open.

Radzi proposed a change in the state leadership, saying it was the best way to avoid a split in Umno.

“It is nothing personal. I am saying this in the best interest of the party,” he said after opening the Padang Besar Umno election machinery yesterday.

Radzi, who is from Perlis but does not hold any post in Perlis Umno, said Shahidan should be replaced to overcome internal problems within Umno.
The Home Affairs Minister also said that Perlis had not developed like other states because there were no changes at the top.

When contacted, Shahidan said he was not perturbed by Radzi’s comments.

“If the party president said such a thing, I will take note,” said Shahidan, who has served as mentri besar for three terms.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/30/nation/19885669&sec=nation]

Kata dua Hishammuddin kepada Gerakan - Utusan

Oleh Herman Hamid

MACHANG 22 Dis. – Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO mendesak Pemangku Presiden Parti Gerakan, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon segera memberi penjelasan berhubung kenyataan Naib Ketua Pemuda parti itu, S. Paranjothy yang mendakwa UMNO adalah salah satu punca mengapa kaum India terpinggir.

Ketuanya, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein menegaskan, sekiranya penjelasan tersebut gagal diberi atau tidak memuaskan, tidak mustahil hubungan Pemuda UMNO serta Barisan Nasional (BN) dengan Parti Gerakan akan putus.

“Buat masa ini kita tidak mengeluarkan sebarang pendirian berbentuk mengutuk dan sebagainya tanpa terlebih dahulu mendapat penjelasan Gerakan kerana bagi BN, apabila timbul isu dari kalangan parti komponen, kita perlu dengar penjelasan.

“Namun ini bukan bermakna Pemuda UMNO beralah. Sekiranya penjelasan tidak memuaskan, kita sanggup putuskan hubungan. Hal ini bukan main-main,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas merasmikan Program Korban Perdana anjuran pergerakan tersebut di sini hari ini.

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2007&dt=1223&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Politik&pg=po_01.htm]

DPM: Ignore Hindraf - The Star

PUTRAJAYA: The public, especially political parties, should not dance to the Hindu Rights Action Force’s (Hindraf) tune, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said they should not turn hysterical every time the group voiced its comments or criticisms, saying that Hindraf did not speak for the Indian community.

“Who is Hindraf representing? We should not dance to its tune.

“Action can be taken against it if it broke any law, and we have taken action against some of its members recently.

“The situation in the country is still under control, and the people are confident about the measures taken by the Government to maintain peace,” Najib told reporters after giving prizes to the winners of the Felda youth awards here yesterday.
Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional deputy president, said he would ask People’s Progressive Party president Datuk M. Kayveas to explain his statement on Sunday that the protests by the Indian groups recently were aimed at the MIC.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/11/nation/19722714&sec=nation]

Shocked by ‘apartheid’ report - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz was shocked during a recent work trip to India to find a newspaper there carrying a front page article that claimed that Malaysia was practising apartheid against Hindus.

Holding up the DNA newspaper of Nov 28, the International Trade and Industry Minister said that the article quoted a 22-year-old Sri Lankan-born poet who had spent 17 years in Malaysia, as saying that she fled Malaysia last month to escape “systematic racial harassment.”

“Fleeing Malaysia? Oh my goodness gracious. Can you imagine? This is really telling lies,” Rafidah told reporters yesterday after chairing a Wanita Umno meeting.

The Wanita Umno chief said that the poet, Sharanya Manivannan, had also claimed in the article that there had been cases in Malaysia of “body-snatching” of Hindu corpses by the authorities so that the deceased could be buried according to Muslim rites.

She said that the poet, however, had never mentioned that these men had converted to Islam.

Rafidah added that Sharanya had said in the article that “countless (Hindu) temples have been demolished and idols smashed – oftentimes in the middle of prayer sessions and devotees attacked”.

“What a lie. Words like this are terrible. The article really hurts,” she said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/5/nation/19672054&sec=nation]

Government Never Ignored Minority Races In Malaysia, Says Nazri - Bernama

KANGAR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- The Government has never forsaken the interests and welfare of minority races in Malaysia, what more launching an "ethnic cleansing" to wipe them out from the country.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said all races are given due protection under the law and adequate avenues to seize opportunities available in the country.

The Government has never imposed restrictions on their freedom to embrace the religion of their choice and practise their respective cultures and traditions, he told reporters after launching the state-level Thai Loy Krathong festival in Pengkalan Asam here last night.

The minister said the well-being of the minority Thai community in Malaysia was also given due protection by the Government.

"Although there are only about 60,000 Siamese in the country, the Government had never ignored their interests and welfare. This showed there was no racial discrimination in Malaysia," said Mohamed Nazri, who is also Malaysian Siamese Association patron.

"I intend to ask for a bigger allocation from the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and the Tourism Ministry to preserve the Siamese art and culture which have been well accepted by Malaysians," he said.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=299800]

Keep out, Nazri tells Tamil Nadu - The Star

By Zulkifli Abd Rahman

KUALA LUMPUR: Stay out of the controversy involving the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) – that’s the stern message for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who rebuked Karunanidhi for interfering, said what happened here had “nothing to do with Tamil Nadu.”

”Do not meddle in our affairs. This is Malaysia, not Tamil Nadu ... lay off,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday, when asked about wire reports that Karunanidhi had written to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to take immediate and appropriate action to end the “sufferings and bad treatment” of Tamils in Malaysia.

Nazri said he would not apologise for calling those who participated in the Hindraf rally on Sunday “penyangak” (thugs), stressing that the demonstrators had violated the law as no permit was issued.

He explained that it was illogical to assume that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would not accept their memorandum.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/29/nation/19608581&sec=nation]