Ya, why not? When Malaysians, in general, are condemning the blatant use of ISA, one might as well join in the bandwagon, right?
From theStar
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has agreed to consider the MIC’s appeal to release five Hindraf leaders detained under the ISA, said party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
It’s good that MIC is “actively” pursuing the release of the Hindraf 5. Hindraf 5 and many others castrated under ISA should not be held without trials in the first place. But agreed to consider does not mean agreed to release. So, whether Pak Lah will entertain Samy Vellu or not, it is yet to be seen.
When Hindraf first started their campaign, it was not a secret that MIC was all up against the movement. So, after the leaders were held up under ISA, MIC did not make any clear objection to the use of ISA on the Hindraf 5. But all that changed in the last general election. Now Samy & MIC are actively pursuing the release of the Hindraf 5.
The sincerity of such endeavour, however, is now questioned. From Malaysiakini:-
The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has challenged the MIC president to show guts by seeking the forgiveness of Indian Malaysians before pursuing the release of the detained Hindraf 5
Please read Hindraf’s statement on Samy Vellu’s pursuit for the freedom of the Hindraf 5 – it is rightfully worded as “Samy Velu – they no longer pose danger to the country, HINDRAF insists they never were a danger in the first place”
While HINDRAF welcomes Dato Samy Velu’s initiative to speak to the PM on their release we insist that he should openly admit and apologize to Malaysian Indians for justifying the arrests of the 4 lawyers last December 13th.
The confidence of the Malaysian Indians could only be regained if Dato Samy Velu apologizes in a gentleman manner to the Indian community for his errors and statements last December and I am certain the Indian community would forgive him.
So, will Samy apologise? Will Pak Lah “accede” to the request and free the Hindraf 5? Whatever it is – whether MIC is sincere this time or now, what MIC’s Murugesan said in his blog makes more sense:-
Malaysian Indians should stop questioning each others’ motive and concentrate on securing the release of ISA detainees.
Why should Indians bicker about who is having what agenda while the detainees rot in prison?
Let’s get them out of Kamunting first!
Murugesan is spot-on on this one – get ISA detainees (Hindraf, RPK and others) out first and given the fair trial that they have been denied till now.