Ramasamy: Malaysia Hindu Sangam has erred in accepting PMX’s insincere, too little, too late apology

 

SINCE the Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) is not a representative body of Hindus in the country, its acceptance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s apology for labelling Hindu temples as haram (illegal) is not acceptable.

Editor’s Note: MHS claimed in its Facebook page to be the primary national advisory body and umbrella organisation for Hindus in Malaysia.

The NGO which was formed on Jan 23, 1965 says it acts as a bridge between the Hindu community and the government on religious, cultural and educational matters.

As I pointed out in my open letter to Anwar, his apology coming in the wake of the Negeri Sembilan state election was intended to regain the support of the aggrieved Indian community, the majority of whom are Hindus.

Given Anwar’s  political motive, the apology is half-hearted and lacks sincerity.

The MHS gives the impression that it is the representative body of Hindus in the country.

Even if it is not a representative body, it could have endeared itself to the hearts of the community by fighting for the just cause of Hindus in the country.

By and large, being a conservative body, it has failed to effectively take up the cause of Hindus, especially on matters relating to temple demolitions, forced removals and relocations.

If Anwar had been sincere and responsible, it would have been perfectly acceptable to accept his apology.

But Anwar had ulterior motives in offering the apology – to overcome the distrust the community has towards the PH government.

If Anwar had wanted to sincerely apologise, he should have done so the moment the humiliating words were uttered against the Hindu community.

But unfortunately and irresponsibly, he waited until the onset of the Negeri Sembilan state election to offer an apology – one that was too little, too late.

If Anwar wanted to apologise to the Indian community, he should also have apologised for other matters such as using the derogatory word “keling”, the forced re-location of the 130-year-old temple in Kuala Lumpur, claiming that the forced re-location was a “victory of Islam”, and, not least, the shameless and pathetic financial assistance given to the community over the past three years.

While the MHS and Indian sycophants in the government might laud Anwar’s apology, Indians nationwide – especially those at the grassroots – remain deeply aggrieved by the way the government has treated the community.

The Indian sycophants may wish to remain in the good books of the government by accepting Anwar’s apology but ordinary Indians – having endured years of racial and religious discrimination – are not prepared to trust or forgive Anwar.

Urimai, the Malaysian Rights Party, categorically rejects Anwar’s apology as being too little, too late, insincere and irresponsible. Anwar’s ulterior motive in offering the apology appears all too naked and obvious. 

Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.