PKR, Hindraf to map out plans for Indians

Anwar Ibrahim and P Waythamoorty held a meeting to address issues affecting the Indian community.

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR and Hindraf are working on a plan to solve the problems faced by the Indian community.

Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy met PKR de facto leader and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim at the latter’s office in Parliament yesterday in search of a permanent solution to the various problems faced by the community.

The two-hour closed door meeting was also attended by PKR vice president Tian Chua and Hindraf advisor N Ganesan.

Tian Chua was upbeat over the meeting and expressed confidence that PKR would be able to resolve the woes of the Indian community.

“The Indian social problem is a national problem. We are willing to find a certain time frame to resolve the problem,” he said.

He added that PKR would announce the methods to resolve the issues and the time frame soon.

Tian Chua, who is also Batu MP, told FMT that the PKR – Hindraf partnership was on the basis that they are “fighting partners moving in the same direction to restore human rights and dignity”.

Ganesan told FMT that they had a fruitful discussion with Anwar without divulging the details.

“If this works out positively there is potential for Hindraf to work with them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Waythamoorthy said: “We are here to find a permanent, comprehensive and practical plan to solve the problems of Indians since independence.”

“We are looking for a permanent solution for the 800,000 Indians who have been displaced from estates since the 1970s and 350,000 stateless Indians,” he added.

He added that other issues include economic upliftment programmes for Indians, land for temples, crematoriums and deaths in custody.

Waythamoorthy also stressed on education issues.

“There must not be a two tier education system. It is a legacy of the colonial era. Budget for Tamil schools must come from the federal government,” he said because current allocations for Tamil schools are “peanuts”.

When asked whether there were any discussion on possible seat allocations for Hindraf, all three denied.

“This is not a political game. It is not power bargaining. PKR and Hindraf are interested in resolving the issues of the community We are sharing ideas that can be translated into policy for a new government,” said Tian Chua.