Date:09/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/09/stories/2007120958240100.htm

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Malaysia may invoke tough law against Hindraf

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is considering the “option” of invoking the Internal Security Act (ISA) against the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), which has been accused of establishing links with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The ISA provides for detention without trial. And, the Hindraf, which organised a mass protest rally in Kuala Lumpur on November 25 to focus international attention on the alleged “marginalisation” of Malaysian Indians, has, in an interview to The Hindu, denied any links with the LTTE.

Close monitoring

Speaking to reporters during a provincial tour on Friday, Mr. Badawi said: “I have asked the Inspector-General of Police to monitor the group [Hindraf] closely.”

Malaysia’s national news agency reported Mr. Abdullah as saying that he had to study the ISA option before making any decision.

He was quoted, on the online site of the New Straits Times, as saying: “ISA is an option. I will decide when the time is right. If they are deemed [a threat to national security], we will know what to do.”

In a follow-up comment on Saturday, Mr. Badawi said the Hindraf’s activities overseas were also being monitored.

In an unrelated reference to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, Deputy Information Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said: “We are inviting him to Malaysia to see for himself how [ethnic] Indians are living in this country.”