Gov't lifts four-year ban on Hindraf

More than four years after being outlawed and branded as an illegal organisation, government has lifted its ban on the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
Hindraf chief P Waythamoorthy in a text message said this was made known to the movement in a letter dated yesterday from the Home Ministry.
However, he is unavailable for further comment as he is presently in the United Kingdom.
Hindraf was outlawed on Oct 14, 2008 by then Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar under the administration of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The government had then described Hindraf as a threat to public order, security and sovereignty of the country as well as the prevailing racial harmony if left unchecked.
Hindraf had earned the ire of the government after it mobilised more than 30,000 people onto the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25, 2007 in a bid to highlight the marginalisation of Indian Malaysians.
The movement is credited for contributing to the March 8, 2008 electoral debacle of BN which saw Indian support for the ruling coalition dramatically reduced.
The BN lost its customary two-thirds majority in Parliament since its creation in 1973.
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