Hindraf Join Forces with ABU (VIDEO)

by Dajmarizal Zolkipli

KUALA LUMPUR, 18 JANUARY, 2012: Hindraf and Asalkan Bukan Umno (ABU) will be working together to organize 11 ceramah in over five states beginning on Jan 21, announced Hindraf National Coordinator, W Sambulingam. In a press conference held at the ABU headquarters, Sambulingam said an agreement has been made between the two non-governmental organizations (NGO) for ABU to hold its ceramah in the locations provided by Hindraf. “Talks between ABU representatives with a Hindraf leader based in London has come to an agreement that Umno has to go. And since our mission and aim to dethrone Umno somehow overlap, we take this opportunity to work together with ABU,” said Sambulingam. “Therefore, Hindraf has already identified 11 locations in five states that will be the places for ABU’s ceramah,” Sambulingam added. With the agreement, Hindraf has joined several other political parties and NGOs in the likes of PAS, Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) among others that are in support of ABU. Watch this video: The alliance between Hindraf and the ABU movement however does not involve the former’s political wing Human Rights Party (HRP) as Shambulingam explained that HRP has its own political ideas and plans. Shambulingam (right) is also inviting Pakatan Rakyat politicians to show their support for ABU and its initiatives and work together to fight Umno. At the moment, PAS is the only Pakatan party which has shown its support for ABU with its vice president Datuk Mahfuz Omar being one of the featured speakers during ABU’s launch in Dec 15. Meanwhile, former Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) president Haris Ibrahim (left) said that ABU opens its invitations to anyone from all political parties to join the movement as long as they have no relations with Umno. “Umno’s basket is not all bad, but if you are in it, you will be painted with the same brush… leave the party, we would welcome you,” said Haris commenting on possibility of Umno politicians who supports ABU. ABU will be holding its first ceramah in Dewan MBSA Klang on Dec 21 at 8pm which will touch on three main issues that are closely related to the rakyat. “We are going to talk about cost of living, racial politics and oppressive laws,” said Haris. “In the ceramah, crowd will understand that Umno played a big dirty part in all the three issues,” Haris added. ABU will also distribute free documentary DVDs during its ceramah, said Haris. “The one-hour, 44minutes video is another tool that provides information on Umno’s faults to help our common sense,” said Haris. “A common man who have common sense must know that it’s time to kick Umno out to the Indian ocean,” he added. - mD