‘Waytha no longer part of Hindraf’

Accusing him of working in cahoots with BN, former Hindraf leader S Jayathas says an interim management committee has been formed to manage the movement's affairs

UPDATED

PETALING JAYA: P Waythamoorthy and his cronies are no longer authorised to issue statements on behalf of Hindraf, said the movement’s former leader S Jayathas.

Jayathas,who is now with PKR, said that he had formed an interim management committee to run the affairs of the movement for the time being.

“We have strong evidence that Waythamoorthy will seal a deal with Umno.This is a shocking betrayal of the Hindraf movement and the Indian community,” said Jayathas

Five days ago, Jayathas accused Waythamoorthy of working in cahoots with Umno by concealing the fact that Hindraf got itself registered officially one month ago.

“This registration of an organisation called Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (Hindraf) was approved on March 8. This was two days before Waythamoorthy began his hunger strike.

“During the hunger strike he attacked the opposition for the benefit of Barisan Nasional,” said Jayathas.

Emergency situation

Jayathas, who is also PKR’s human rights legal bureau deputy chairman, said that Indians will never allow Hindraf to be hijacked and destroyed by Waythamoorthy and his associates.

“The so-called Hindraf leader Waythamoorthy and his associates’ act of going over to the BN side has created an emergency situation for the movement.

“Waythamoothy and his cronies have gone against the wishes and the struggle of Hindraf members throughout the country,” said Jayathas.

He added that it was important for BN to be removed from federal power as they have not changed and reformed over the years.

Jayathas said this was evident by Najib Tun Razak’s decision to field Perkasa vice president Zulkifli Noordin as a candidate in Shah Alam.

“Zulkifli criticised the Hindu religion and made racist remarks against Indians. Despite all that, Waythamoorthy continues to pretend  that BN will help the Indian community,” he said.

Najib is scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding with Waythamoorthy later today to show the government’s commitment to uplift the Indian community.

Uthaya: This is not Hindraf’s struggle
Meanwhile Human Rights Party (HRP) pro-tem secretary-general and Waythamoorthy’s brother P Uthayakumar also distanced himself from the deal with BN.

Calling Waythamoorthy’s group ‘Hindraf hijackers’, Uthayakumar said the deal with Umno/BN has never been Hindraf’s struggle.

“This is not acceptable on the eve of the general election,” he said.

Calling himself the most senior and the de facto Hindraf leader, Uthayakumar said Hindraf’s political direction remained the same – not to vote for BN.

“Voting for Pakatan Rakyat is up to the individual as Hindraf is not prepared to take responsibility for Pakatan’s non-delievery to the Indian poor,” he added.

He also urged the government to deliver first Hindraf’s original 10-point demand made on 2007.

He confirmed that he would be contesting in the Kota Raja parliamentary and Seri Andalas state seats under the Hindraf banner, resulting in a three-way fight in both these constituencies.