Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s advice to P.Waythamoorthy to toe the government line is as good as telling him to quit as a deputy minister, say some political analysts.
The Hindu rights activist came under fire when he questioned police for shooting five Indian criminals in Penang last week and alleged that the suspected thugs were shot "execution-style”.
Universiti Putra Malaysia political analyst Dr Jayum Jawan said Najib’s reprimand to Waythamoorthy read as though the prime minister wanted the deputy minister out of administration.
"I think the PM is being nice, he does not want to say leave, or I'm kicking you out, but Waythamoorthy should know how to interpret the hint," he told The Malaysian Insider in Kuala Lumpur.
Three cabinet ministers, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, have asked the lawyer to leave government if he refused to toe the line.
Najib joined the chorus yesterday when he reprimanded Waythamoorthy, saying that as a member of the government, he must toe the line.
Dr Jayum also said that the deputy minister was wrong in speaking out in public, instead of discussing the matter with his colleagues in the government.
He added that even if Waythamoorthy left the government, it would be no loss to the Indian community as they are well represented by the likes of MIC president and deputy president, Datuk Seri G.Palanivel and Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam.
"Palanivel and Dr Subramaniam are doing the right thing by not voicing their opinion outside the Cabinet. This is the correct way, instead of speaking out and trying to act like a hero," Dr Jayum said.
He added that Waythamoorthy had nothing to gain by showing he was more vocal than the rest.
Centre for Policy Initiative director Dr Lim Teck Ghee also felt Najib's comments could be taken to mean that Waythamoorthy was a liability.
Lim said it could also be interpreted that Umno cannot and would not honour the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Waythamoorthy - then the leader of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) - and the government before the 13th general election.
The MOU is a five-year blueprint for the advancement of the Indian community, aimed at bringing the Indian poor into the mainstream of national development.
"The PM has bigger fish to fry than the Hindraf cause and Najib's own survival in the coming Umno assembly and presidential race will be what he will be focusing on in the next few months.
"Waythamoorthy has no choice but to resign. He will leave with his reputation seriously damaged but at least with some honour," Dr Lim said.
Waythamoorthy has rejected the calls to quit but also said he would not be silent on issues.
"I cannot be a disinterested observer on the sidelines just because I am in government," he had said.
Waythamoorthy explained the reason he spoke out, saying the shooting may have resulted in the five being taken off the streets but it did nothing to solve rising crime.
He noted that at the funeral of one of those killed that day, newspapers reported that about 800 Indian youths, many purportedly 04 gang members, were in the procession.
He added it was also reported that Bukit Aman director of criminal investigations (CID) Datuk Hadi Ho Abdullah had said police records of known gang members revealed that 71% were Indians.
In April, Waythamoorthy, on behalf of Hindraf, signed a five-year blueprint with the government aimed at bringing the Indian poor into the mainstream of national development.
"When realised, it will certainly help wean these wayward Indian youth from crime and into productive economic activity. That will really be a win-win approach. I have chosen to come into government primarily for this purpose," he said.
Universiti Islam Antarabangsa academic Prof Dr Syed Arabi Idid had a different take on Najib’s remark to Waythamoorthy.
He said the call by the prime minister to Waythamoorthy was a warning of sorts, and not a call for the deputy minister to leave government.
"If the PM wants him to leave, he will say so. What Datuk Seri Najib wants is for him to toe the line," he added.
Dr Syed Arabi felt Waythamoorthy should be given a chance since he is new to politics.
"He might need some time to get into the government role, but if he wants to stay, he should take the PM's advice," the analyst said.
Another independent analyst, Khoo Kay Peng, agreed with Dr Syed Arabi, and said Najib's "toe the line" rebuke should be taken as it is.
"One of the main problems with him is that he was brought into the administration without a specific purpose. And because his role is not defined, he did what he did to make himself relevant," Khoo said, trying to rationalise Waythamoorthy’s remarks over the shooting.
Khoo said Putrajaya should look at giving the deputy minister something specific to do, and suggested that Waythamoorthy take charge of a committee to study the problems of crime and gangsterism among Indian youth.
"Clearly, he is the best person for the job, and it will give him something to focus on," Khoo suggested.
Merdeka Center executive director Ibrahim Suffian also felt that Najib's reprimand was a reminder to Waythamoorthy to abide by the government's code of conduct.
"He made a conscious decision to take up the government post and so he must not speak about sensitive issues like this in public. Instead, he must try and work within the system."
"But I don't think Najib meant for him to vacate his post," Suffian said.
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