A group of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) activists today called on federal opposition pact Pakatan Harapan to reject any cooperation with Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM) chief P Waythamoorthy, who they claimed has lost the support of Indian grassroots.
Speaking during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, group spokesperson S Jayathas said they are also prepared to meet with Harapan leaders in order to formally state their objection.
"We are concerned about the recent claims by P Waythamoorthy that he and his Hindraf splinter group enjoy wide support among the Indian community.
"On this ground, he has also asked Harapan to admit his Hindraf splinter group as a part of the coalition," said Jayathas (photo) who was accompanied by five other Hindraf activists.
Waythamoorthy returned to Malaysia in 2012 after living in exile in London and formally registered the Hindraf movement - which contributed to the largest Indian protest in 2007 - as Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia.
This came after a dispute between Waythamoorthy and key Hindraf leaders at the time on the directions for the movement.
However, Jayathas insisted that Waythamoorthy has lost the support of the Indian grassroots after he signed a memorandum of understanding, dubbed the "Hindraf-BN five-year blueprint for the Indian community" with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, prior to the 13th general election
"He (Waythamoorthy) has admitted that (supporting BN) was a mistake. But there has been no real remorse or apology from him...," said Jayathas in reference to Waythamoorthy's remarks during a forum in Kuala Lumpur last month.
Waythamoorthy also told the forum that he had begun negotiations with Harapan's leadership following an ongoing engagement with low-income Indian communities since his resignation as a senator and deputy minister in 2014.
'Suit against Harapan MP, Hindraf activists'
Jayathas also questioned Waythamoorthy's intention to cooperate with Harapan and at the same time pursue legal actions against DAP's Klang MP Charles Santiago and seven other Hindraf activists for their alleged criticisms against him.
When contacted, Santiago confirmed that he had been served with a legal notice from Waythamoorthy, who had threatened to file a defamation suit on Santiago's comment piece published in an online portal earlier this month.
"But I am not going to apologise. He (Waythamoorthy) can do whatever he wants," said Santiago, adding that he has left the matter to be handled by his lawyers.
Malaysiakini has contacted Waythamoorthy for his comment. - Mkini
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