Author: Jaishree Balasubramanian
Publication: Rediff.com
Date: December 16, 2007
URL: http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/dec/16malay.htm
Amid simmering protests by ethnic-Indians
against alleged marginalisation, activists on Sunday asked Malaysian premier
Abdullah Badawi set up a 'non-Muslim affairs department' to look into issues
faced by other communities in this predominantly Islamic country.
"It is timely for the prime minister
to set up a department to look into non-Muslim affairs. What we have in the
prime minister's department now is a Muslim affairs department," A Rajaretnam,
Secretary of the Federation of Malaysian Indian Organisation, told media persons.
He suggested that such departments should also be created at state levels.
Abdullah met 13 NGOs on Friday to hear their
views on various issues faced by ethnic Indians in Malaysia and 'assured us
that he will personally address the issues,' Rajaretnam said.
Abdullah had asked the NGOs to list out the
community's grievances that led to the November 25 demonstration called by
Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf). Rajaretnam said a committee would be
set up to prepare the list within a month.
He said the NGOs had requested Abdullah to
set up the separate department as Malaysia was 'a multi-racial, multi-ethnic
and multi-religious country.'
"The premier should look very seriously
into the setting up of the department."
Rajaretnam said the NGOs also urged Abdullah
to try the five Hindraf leaders, arrested on Thursay under the Internal Security
Act that allows indefinite detention without trial, in a civil court.
"We want to create an environment where
Malaysia is a place where no one is victimised."
Ethnic Indians, mostly Hindus, form 7.8 per
cent of its population of 27 million people. A majority 60 per cent are Muslim
Malays while ethnic Chinese are 25 per cent.
"We shared our problems with the premier
and he is fully with us," Rajaretnam said.
He said the NGOs had appealed to Abdullah
to appoint officers from various backgrounds so as to 'create a room to share
views.'
He felt any problems faced by the Malaysians
were 'a problem of the nation, of its citizens. We are one, this should be
the sentiment of all people,' he said.
Friday's meeting was the first time Abdullah
has held talks with representatives of ethnic Indians. Rajeretnam said the
NGOs hoped that the premier would meet with them atleast every six months.
