Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
27Feb2011, Here Comes the Second Wave
If you are a Pariah and you are happy when the malays called you a Pariah,please dont attend the mammoth rally that organised by HRP/Hindraf on 27thFeb2011 at KLCC.Dont waste your time.You dont belongs to this group.
But if you are not a Pariah and you dont want any malays mentioned any singgle of this words,then you have to be in KLCC at the above date.Lets see who is Pariah and who is not.
*Budak Interlok will be in KL on 26/27.02.2011.See you guys there.
But if you are not a Pariah and you dont want any malays mentioned any singgle of this words,then you have to be in KLCC at the above date.Lets see who is Pariah and who is not.
*Budak Interlok will be in KL on 26/27.02.2011.See you guys there.
Monday, February 21, 2011
A Tribute To A Legend....Malaysian Vasudevan
Malaysia Vasudevan was one of the prime singers of the 80s and 90s Tamil cinema. His versatility as a singer was proved very soon after he took up singing as his career in the early 70s. But you will be surprised to learn that the celebrated singer actually wanted to be an actor when he landed in India from Malaysia.
Vasudevan’s parents were from Palakkad. In the early years of the last century Chattu Nair of Ottappalam, Ammalu of Polpulli along with their respective families migrated to Malaysia in search of livelihood. They became labourers in the rubber estates of Klang Valley. After a few years Chattu Nair and Ammalu became husband and wife in an arranged marriage. Vasudevan was born on June 15, 1944 as their eighth child. His surroundings in Malaysia were predominantly Tamil and his life was lived in Tamil, at school and at home.
Vasudevan’s parents were from Palakkad. In the early years of the last century Chattu Nair of Ottappalam, Ammalu of Polpulli along with their respective families migrated to Malaysia in search of livelihood. They became labourers in the rubber estates of Klang Valley. After a few years Chattu Nair and Ammalu became husband and wife in an arranged marriage. Vasudevan was born on June 15, 1944 as their eighth child. His surroundings in Malaysia were predominantly Tamil and his life was lived in Tamil, at school and at home.
Chattu Nair was musically inclined and all his children grew with a natural ability to sing and appreciate music. Malaysia Vasudevan had once said that all his family members, except his mother Ammalu, were singers. He first started learning music from his father and later on, his brother taught him. Vasudevan started singing on stage when he was eight. And yes he was interested in acting too.
When Vasudevan grew up he got attached to Tamil drama troupes in Malaysia as an actor and singer. The producers of one of his plays ‘Ratha Paei’ wanted to make it as a film. Vasudevan came with the group to Chennai and acted in the film `Raththa Paei’. He even sang a song for the film under the baton of G.K. Venkatesh for whom Ilaiyaraja was working as the assistant..
His first major song was in the film `Delhi to Madras' that starred Jaishankar and Srividya. It was a comedy song ‘Paalu Vikkira Padma Un Paalu Romba Suthhama? for the music director V. Kumar. This chance was possible because of his friendship with the film’s producer Pollachi Rathnam. After that he joined Pavalar Brothers troupe which was run by Ilaiyaraja and his brothers.
During a stage performance, music director MSV heard Vasudevan and gave him a small piece of a song in `Bharatha Vilas' (he sang for the Punjabi in ‘Indhiya Naadu En Veedu’) and then a song in `Thalai Prasavam'. The first big break came when Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan made him sing ‘Kaalam Seyyum Vilaiyattu’ in `Kumasthavin Magal'. Vasudevan was rechristened Malaysia Vasudevan by AP Nagarajan in this film.
Later when his good friend Illayaraja stormed the Tamil film industry with `Annakili', he was made to sing in Annakili and after `Aattukutti Muttai Ittu' from `16 Vayathinile’ happened, Malaysia Vasudevan never looked back. Illayaraja backed him until he became a star singer.
Malaysia Vasudevan has sung close to 8000 songs in his three decades of active career out of which most are for Illayaraja. Illayaraja made Malaysia Vasudevan sing songs of all kinds and genre. Every song Malaysia Vasudevan rendered with utmost sincerity and surprised everyone with the range he had.
Soft romantic songs like ‘Indha Minminikku’(Sigappu Rojakkal), ‘Vaan Megangalay’ (Puthiya Vaarpukal), ‘Malargale Nadha Swarangal’ (Kizhake Pogum Rayil), ‘Malargalilay Aaraadhanai’(Karumbu Vil), ‘Kodai Kaala Kaatray’(Panneer Pushpangal), ‘Poove Ilaya Poove’ (Kozhi Koovuthu) Thangachangili Minnum Painkili (Thooral Nindru Pochhu), etc must be some of the timeless favourites of Tamil film music lovers.
Even under the baton of the maestro MS Viswanathan, Malaysia Vasudevan had sung many illustrious songs. ‘Ezhudhugiral Oru Pudhukkavithai’ (Saranaalayam),‘Enniyirundhadhu Eadera’ (Andha 7 Naatkal) and the super duper hits from ‘Billa’ are just a few rare gems.
Sensuous songs like ‘Kanna Thorakkanum Saami’, ‘or ‘Nila Kaayudhu’ and Emotional songs like ‘Oru Thanga Rathathhil’(Dharma Yudhham), ‘Allithhandha Bhoomi Annai Allava’(Nandu), ‘Adi Aadu Poongodiye (Kali), ‘Vaa Vaa Vasanthamey (Puthu Kavithai), ‘Pattuvanna Rosavam’ (Kannipparuvathile) Ponmaana thedi naanum poovodu (Enga oor Rasathi) all came easy to Vasudevan and succeeded in showing some other brilliant facets of the wonderful singer. His largely folksy tunes sung for Shankar Ganesh are also of inimitable class.When Vasudevan grew up he got attached to Tamil drama troupes in Malaysia as an actor and singer. The producers of one of his plays ‘Ratha Paei’ wanted to make it as a film. Vasudevan came with the group to Chennai and acted in the film `Raththa Paei’. He even sang a song for the film under the baton of G.K. Venkatesh for whom Ilaiyaraja was working as the assistant..
His first major song was in the film `Delhi to Madras' that starred Jaishankar and Srividya. It was a comedy song ‘Paalu Vikkira Padma Un Paalu Romba Suthhama? for the music director V. Kumar. This chance was possible because of his friendship with the film’s producer Pollachi Rathnam. After that he joined Pavalar Brothers troupe which was run by Ilaiyaraja and his brothers.
During a stage performance, music director MSV heard Vasudevan and gave him a small piece of a song in `Bharatha Vilas' (he sang for the Punjabi in ‘Indhiya Naadu En Veedu’) and then a song in `Thalai Prasavam'. The first big break came when Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan made him sing ‘Kaalam Seyyum Vilaiyattu’ in `Kumasthavin Magal'. Vasudevan was rechristened Malaysia Vasudevan by AP Nagarajan in this film.
Later when his good friend Illayaraja stormed the Tamil film industry with `Annakili', he was made to sing in Annakili and after `Aattukutti Muttai Ittu' from `16 Vayathinile’ happened, Malaysia Vasudevan never looked back. Illayaraja backed him until he became a star singer.
Malaysia Vasudevan has sung close to 8000 songs in his three decades of active career out of which most are for Illayaraja. Illayaraja made Malaysia Vasudevan sing songs of all kinds and genre. Every song Malaysia Vasudevan rendered with utmost sincerity and surprised everyone with the range he had.
Soft romantic songs like ‘Indha Minminikku’(Sigappu Rojakkal), ‘Vaan Megangalay’ (Puthiya Vaarpukal), ‘Malargale Nadha Swarangal’ (Kizhake Pogum Rayil), ‘Malargalilay Aaraadhanai’(Karumbu Vil), ‘Kodai Kaala Kaatray’(Panneer Pushpangal), ‘Poove Ilaya Poove’ (Kozhi Koovuthu) Thangachangili Minnum Painkili (Thooral Nindru Pochhu), etc must be some of the timeless favourites of Tamil film music lovers.
Even under the baton of the maestro MS Viswanathan, Malaysia Vasudevan had sung many illustrious songs. ‘Ezhudhugiral Oru Pudhukkavithai’ (Saranaalayam),‘Enniyirundhadhu Eadera’ (Andha 7 Naatkal) and the super duper hits from ‘Billa’ are just a few rare gems.
Some of the best songs of Malaysia Vasudevan happened at the time when he was considered the voices of Sivaji Ganesan and Rajinikanth. Who can forget the songs of ‘Mudhal Mariyathai’ which were rendered with a rare spirit of genius? And for the Super Star? From Pothuvaga en mansu thangam (Murattukalai) to Aasai Nooru vagai (Adutha Varisu) to many others and there are too many.
Malaysia Vasudevan is like TMS who was content with the popularity achieved only in Tamil. He was of the notion that to sing in other languages he should have known well the nuances of other languages. At a time when not knowing the language is the first preferred criterion to sing in Tamil, Malaysia Vasudevan’s resolve may sound funny to many today.
This tribute has not touched Malaysia Vasudevan’s acting career simply because he is first a glorious singer. However he will feature in the history of Tamil cinema as a versatile actor too. His acting career that started with ‘Oru Kaithiyin Diary’ and flourished through the late 80s and 90s is a memorable one.
Malaysia Vasudevan, an iconic singer of the 80s and 90s is no more. The renowned singer passed away in Chennai on Sunday February 20, 2011 after a brief illness. He was 66.
Budak Interlok is deeply sorrowed by the passing away of the legend and prays for his soul to rest in peace. We’ll miss you sir.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
HRP vows to continue with its protest on 27Feb2011
Human Rights Party (HRP) will still carry on with their ‘People’s March in Solidarity Against Umno’s Racism’ on Feb 27, despite the crackdown last weekend.
Last Sunday, the police detained nationwide at least 59 people travelling Hindraf convoys with allegations rough treatment by police.
“We are sticking to the plan and there is no turning back,” HRP information chief S Jayathas told Malaysiakini when contacted today.
He said that the march would be neither postponed nor cancelled because Article 10 of the federal constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression.
He also said that there are no changes of plans and that the meeting point will still remain KLCC.
“I call for all, everyone who thinks that Umno is racist and if they really want to make a difference. A change in Malaysia,” Jayathas (left) added.
Action plans all laid out
HRP will be holding several forums on ‘Interlok’ in major cities before the march and leaflets are still being distributed nationwide.
On any response from Inspector General Police Ismail Omar regarding their application for a police permit submitted on Feb 11, Jayathas said:
“No, we have not heard from the IGP yet. But we do know that on the scheduled day, there will be other agents that will provoke us,” he said.
On the ‘Interlok’ novel Jayathas said HRP will take the issue to the United Nations on Tuesday .
Clash of differing perceptions
The issue first broke out at the end of last year when Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T Murugiah protested against ‘Interlok’ after his ministry had discussed the novel with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
The MIC had also called for change the work before the book is used as a literature textbook, as it contains a chapter offensive to Indians.
Indian NGOs decry the book’s description of Indians in Malaysia as being from the lower caste, among other racial stereotypes.
Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had announced on Jan 27 that the novel will remain as the textbook for the literature component of the Bahasa Malaysia subject for Form Five, but with amendments to those parts deemed offensive to the Indian community.
There has been endless protest since then.
Last Sunday, the police detained nationwide at least 59 people travelling Hindraf convoys with allegations rough treatment by police.
“We are sticking to the plan and there is no turning back,” HRP information chief S Jayathas told Malaysiakini when contacted today.
He said that the march would be neither postponed nor cancelled because Article 10 of the federal constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression.
He also said that there are no changes of plans and that the meeting point will still remain KLCC.
“I call for all, everyone who thinks that Umno is racist and if they really want to make a difference. A change in Malaysia,” Jayathas (left) added.Action plans all laid out
HRP will be holding several forums on ‘Interlok’ in major cities before the march and leaflets are still being distributed nationwide.
On any response from Inspector General Police Ismail Omar regarding their application for a police permit submitted on Feb 11, Jayathas said:
“No, we have not heard from the IGP yet. But we do know that on the scheduled day, there will be other agents that will provoke us,” he said.
On the ‘Interlok’ novel Jayathas said HRP will take the issue to the United Nations on Tuesday .
Clash of differing perceptions
The issue first broke out at the end of last year when Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T Murugiah protested against ‘Interlok’ after his ministry had discussed the novel with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.The MIC had also called for change the work before the book is used as a literature textbook, as it contains a chapter offensive to Indians.
Indian NGOs decry the book’s description of Indians in Malaysia as being from the lower caste, among other racial stereotypes.
Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had announced on Jan 27 that the novel will remain as the textbook for the literature component of the Bahasa Malaysia subject for Form Five, but with amendments to those parts deemed offensive to the Indian community.
There has been endless protest since then.
BESTINO GOLDEN HOUSE STORY
IPOH: An Ipoh-based company, Bestino Group Bhd, which was raided by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission (SC) in June last year on suspicion of illegal deposit-taking, may be a front for the “biggest money-laundering” operations in the country, according to Buntong assemblyman A Sivasubramaniam.
Despite the BNM and SC raids last year, there were still unanswered questions involving the missing millions invested by Malaysians, in particular those in Perak, he said.
Sivasubramaniam is urging Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to immediately step in and order a police investigation into Bestino Group.
“We want the prime minister to order an investigation… millions have been lost.
“I believe this is one of the biggest illegal money-laundering operations in the country.
“I urge the federal government to take investors’ complaints seriously,” he said, adding that the Perak opposition parlimentarians planned to bring up the issue at the next parliamentary sitting.
Meanwhile, the BNM raids, which were widely reported in the Tamil media but received scant attention from others, has forced Bestino to keep a low profile.
FMT, which visited the Bestino circle in Ipoh, discovered that the company is allegedly still active and had thrived on recommendations and word-of-mouth marketing.
Gold mines
Bestino Group, which lists “gold” as its nature of work, however, only became a buzzword after BNM raided its premises last June for alleged money laundering.
Bestino had reportedly collected more than RM400 million from the public comprising mainly Indians since it began operations.
Bestino’s leading figure has been the well-known Batu Pahat jeweller Chong Yuk Ming. Chong is also a director in Bestino, which was previously known as Bestino Golden House Sdn Bhd, set up in 2006.
In 2007, the company allegedly recruited former assistant superintendent of police (ASP) V Krishnan and ex-BNM officer S Balachandran to recruit Indian investors.
According to some investors, Krishnan and Balachandran told them that Bestino had purchased 14 gold mines in Papua New Guinea and that they could see a 36% dividend on a RM10,000 investment.
In 2008, the company changed its name to Bestino Group Bhd and Krishnan was appointed as director in the new company while Balachandran allegedly became the key “link” between BNM and Bestino.
On record, Bestino has nearly 6,800 investors who have invested a total of RM400 million in Bestino, within three years of setting up business. However, this does not include the gold that the investors re-invested in Bestino totalling RM300 million.
A few were sceptical about the “investments” because investors were offered a 36% dividend on their first RM10,000 investment and gold “biscuits” worth RM7,000 for free.
It was to Bestino’s advantage that it had Chong and prominent individuals like MIC Perak state secretary Jayagopi and a former army sergeant, Haridass and MP N Gobalakrishnan’s brother N Loganathan, vouching for the company and encouraging the public to invest in it.
Money laundering
According to an investor Nalluran, 74, a pensioner from the Perak Water Board, he invested RM20,000 because he “believed” in Chong’s involvement.
“He is a well-known man here; everybody knows Batu Pahat goldsmith Chong.”
Explaining the investment, Nalluran said: “At the start, they (Bestino) bank in dividends in our accounts every month.
“After one year, they threw us a new offer. They said if we gave back the gold which Bestino had given us, then they would be ready to give us 60% dividend per annum.
“After a year we were confident of them and accepted the offer. But after a few months everything went wrong,” he said.
However, Chong had sent out letters to investors assuring them they would get back their investments within three months and asked them to be patient.
Nalluran, however, was unaware of BNM’s raid on Bestino on June 16 last year.
BNM and the SC had reportedly commenced investigations into the Bestino Group and its related companies on suspicion of illegal money laundering.
In a joint statement, the central bank and the SC had reportedly said the company was in breach of subsection 25(1) of the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 (BAFIA) and the offering for subscription or purchase of preference shares in breach of section 212(2) of the
Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.
Following complaints from the public, BNM and SC raided Bestino Group and its related companies in Ipoh, Perak and Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
High-stake gambling
Meanwhile, former PKR secretary-general PS Jenapala finds the whole Bestino scam frustrating. He claimed that Ipoh had become a nest for illegal operations.
“Ipoh seems to be the focus of illegal activities. First, we had the Fresh Farm scam, and now Bestino,” said Jenapala, who is now the pro tem president of the Indian Justice Party (IJP).
Jenapala was alluding to the recent Ipoh High Court ruling last week ordering Fresh Farm Bhd, which began operations in Ipoh three years ago, to pay RM26 million to its predominantly Indian investors. Fresh Farm reportedly had 2,000 members participating in its scheme.
According to Jenapala, there was no truth in Bestino’s claim that it had mines in Papua New Guinea and bought its gold from there.
“There are rumours that Bestino is gambling people investments in Macau and that a huge amount of money is stuck in Macau.
“When the BNM raided them here, they only managed to seize RM14 million, which is a small portion of the total investments.
“This raises the question: who’s holding the rest of the money?”
To a question on why the police were slow to react to public complaints, Jenapal said: “Almost 70% of Bestino’s agents are from the police force.
“Do you believe the police will push for a probe? I doubt it.
“If the government continues to remain silent on this issue, it will be another Maika Holdings scandal,” he said.
Despite the BNM and SC raids last year, there were still unanswered questions involving the missing millions invested by Malaysians, in particular those in Perak, he said.
Sivasubramaniam is urging Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to immediately step in and order a police investigation into Bestino Group.
“We want the prime minister to order an investigation… millions have been lost.
“I believe this is one of the biggest illegal money-laundering operations in the country.
“I urge the federal government to take investors’ complaints seriously,” he said, adding that the Perak opposition parlimentarians planned to bring up the issue at the next parliamentary sitting.
Meanwhile, the BNM raids, which were widely reported in the Tamil media but received scant attention from others, has forced Bestino to keep a low profile.
FMT, which visited the Bestino circle in Ipoh, discovered that the company is allegedly still active and had thrived on recommendations and word-of-mouth marketing.
Gold mines
Bestino Group, which lists “gold” as its nature of work, however, only became a buzzword after BNM raided its premises last June for alleged money laundering.
Bestino had reportedly collected more than RM400 million from the public comprising mainly Indians since it began operations.
Bestino’s leading figure has been the well-known Batu Pahat jeweller Chong Yuk Ming. Chong is also a director in Bestino, which was previously known as Bestino Golden House Sdn Bhd, set up in 2006.
In 2007, the company allegedly recruited former assistant superintendent of police (ASP) V Krishnan and ex-BNM officer S Balachandran to recruit Indian investors.
According to some investors, Krishnan and Balachandran told them that Bestino had purchased 14 gold mines in Papua New Guinea and that they could see a 36% dividend on a RM10,000 investment.
In 2008, the company changed its name to Bestino Group Bhd and Krishnan was appointed as director in the new company while Balachandran allegedly became the key “link” between BNM and Bestino.
On record, Bestino has nearly 6,800 investors who have invested a total of RM400 million in Bestino, within three years of setting up business. However, this does not include the gold that the investors re-invested in Bestino totalling RM300 million.
A few were sceptical about the “investments” because investors were offered a 36% dividend on their first RM10,000 investment and gold “biscuits” worth RM7,000 for free.
It was to Bestino’s advantage that it had Chong and prominent individuals like MIC Perak state secretary Jayagopi and a former army sergeant, Haridass and MP N Gobalakrishnan’s brother N Loganathan, vouching for the company and encouraging the public to invest in it.
Money laundering
According to an investor Nalluran, 74, a pensioner from the Perak Water Board, he invested RM20,000 because he “believed” in Chong’s involvement.“He is a well-known man here; everybody knows Batu Pahat goldsmith Chong.”
Explaining the investment, Nalluran said: “At the start, they (Bestino) bank in dividends in our accounts every month.
“After one year, they threw us a new offer. They said if we gave back the gold which Bestino had given us, then they would be ready to give us 60% dividend per annum.
“After a year we were confident of them and accepted the offer. But after a few months everything went wrong,” he said.
However, Chong had sent out letters to investors assuring them they would get back their investments within three months and asked them to be patient.
Nalluran, however, was unaware of BNM’s raid on Bestino on June 16 last year.
BNM and the SC had reportedly commenced investigations into the Bestino Group and its related companies on suspicion of illegal money laundering.
In a joint statement, the central bank and the SC had reportedly said the company was in breach of subsection 25(1) of the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 (BAFIA) and the offering for subscription or purchase of preference shares in breach of section 212(2) of the
Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.
Following complaints from the public, BNM and SC raided Bestino Group and its related companies in Ipoh, Perak and Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
High-stake gambling
Meanwhile, former PKR secretary-general PS Jenapala finds the whole Bestino scam frustrating. He claimed that Ipoh had become a nest for illegal operations.“Ipoh seems to be the focus of illegal activities. First, we had the Fresh Farm scam, and now Bestino,” said Jenapala, who is now the pro tem president of the Indian Justice Party (IJP).
Jenapala was alluding to the recent Ipoh High Court ruling last week ordering Fresh Farm Bhd, which began operations in Ipoh three years ago, to pay RM26 million to its predominantly Indian investors. Fresh Farm reportedly had 2,000 members participating in its scheme.
According to Jenapala, there was no truth in Bestino’s claim that it had mines in Papua New Guinea and bought its gold from there.
“There are rumours that Bestino is gambling people investments in Macau and that a huge amount of money is stuck in Macau.
“When the BNM raided them here, they only managed to seize RM14 million, which is a small portion of the total investments.
“This raises the question: who’s holding the rest of the money?”
To a question on why the police were slow to react to public complaints, Jenapal said: “Almost 70% of Bestino’s agents are from the police force.
“Do you believe the police will push for a probe? I doubt it.
“If the government continues to remain silent on this issue, it will be another Maika Holdings scandal,” he said.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
No let-up in Interlok protests
HRP will continue to pile the pressure on the BN government until the controversial book is withdrawn from the education system.
IPOH: The Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRP) is not letting up the political pressure on the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to remove the controversial Form Five Malay literature book “Interlok” from the education system.
It has drawn up programmes to continue with its people’s power protests to demonstrate to the government that the Indian community is dead set against the book.
Certain portions of the book were deemed to have offended the sentiments of the Indian community with their alleged racist attack.
Although Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had responded to the vocal protest of the community by removing the offending sections, he stopped short of removing the book from the education system.
Even though MIC seems to support Muhyiddin’s move, the Indian community, NGOs and HRP were not prepared to compromise.
On Feb 13, HRP ignited the first spark of protest by organising a nationwide march – in the form of car convoys – against the novel.
The convoys started in various states, with each convoy ending in another destination in the respective states.
The peaceful protest ended with the arrest of some 75 activists in the various states, some of whom were later released.
The next anti-Interlok move is fixed for Feb 19 when HRP pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar and its pro-tem chief W Sambulingam are set to address the Indian residents of Buntong, Perak, which has the highest number of Indian voters in the country.
This “Haramkan Interlok” function is to be held at Dewan Arioli Manram at 7pm and a huge Indian crowd is expected to turn up.
Biggest rally
The final and biggest rally called “People’s march for solidarity against Umno/BN racism” is slated to take place at the KLCC on Feb 27.
This event is expected to attract a mammoth gathering similar to the Nov 27, 2007 Hindraf protest which changed the political landscape of the country.
Ironically, Interlok, written by national laureate Abdullah Hussain in 1971, was to promote better racial understanding.
But it backfired as the Indian community took offence to the word “pariah” used to describe them and other alleged factual errors about their way of life.
According to HRP Perak chief P Ramesh, there are three different types of Form Five Malay literature books, of which one will be chosen by each of the three zones – northern, central and southern.
The northern zone, comprising the states in the north, is using the “Kembara Amira” Malay literature book. The central zone, comprising Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor and Negri Sembilan, is using Interlok.
Ramesh, however, cannot remember the title of the Malay literature book used in Form Five for the southern region.
He contended that since Interlok was not used nationwide but only in a limited area, it would be easy to remove it completely from the education system.
“Why can’t the schools in the central zone use one of the other two titles for Malay literature instead of this controversial book?” he asked.
He said it was not practical to remove the offending portions of the book as this would disrupt the the smooth flow of the story. Thus, the best alternative is to withdraw it.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said in a press statement the BN government should not press any charges against the HRP and Hindraf protesters who took part in the convoy protest.
IPOH: The Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRP) is not letting up the political pressure on the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to remove the controversial Form Five Malay literature book “Interlok” from the education system.
It has drawn up programmes to continue with its people’s power protests to demonstrate to the government that the Indian community is dead set against the book.
Certain portions of the book were deemed to have offended the sentiments of the Indian community with their alleged racist attack.
Although Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had responded to the vocal protest of the community by removing the offending sections, he stopped short of removing the book from the education system.
Even though MIC seems to support Muhyiddin’s move, the Indian community, NGOs and HRP were not prepared to compromise.
On Feb 13, HRP ignited the first spark of protest by organising a nationwide march – in the form of car convoys – against the novel.
The convoys started in various states, with each convoy ending in another destination in the respective states.
The peaceful protest ended with the arrest of some 75 activists in the various states, some of whom were later released.
The next anti-Interlok move is fixed for Feb 19 when HRP pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar and its pro-tem chief W Sambulingam are set to address the Indian residents of Buntong, Perak, which has the highest number of Indian voters in the country.
This “Haramkan Interlok” function is to be held at Dewan Arioli Manram at 7pm and a huge Indian crowd is expected to turn up.
Biggest rally
The final and biggest rally called “People’s march for solidarity against Umno/BN racism” is slated to take place at the KLCC on Feb 27.
This event is expected to attract a mammoth gathering similar to the Nov 27, 2007 Hindraf protest which changed the political landscape of the country.
Ironically, Interlok, written by national laureate Abdullah Hussain in 1971, was to promote better racial understanding.
But it backfired as the Indian community took offence to the word “pariah” used to describe them and other alleged factual errors about their way of life.
According to HRP Perak chief P Ramesh, there are three different types of Form Five Malay literature books, of which one will be chosen by each of the three zones – northern, central and southern.
The northern zone, comprising the states in the north, is using the “Kembara Amira” Malay literature book. The central zone, comprising Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor and Negri Sembilan, is using Interlok.
Ramesh, however, cannot remember the title of the Malay literature book used in Form Five for the southern region.
He contended that since Interlok was not used nationwide but only in a limited area, it would be easy to remove it completely from the education system.
“Why can’t the schools in the central zone use one of the other two titles for Malay literature instead of this controversial book?” he asked.
He said it was not practical to remove the offending portions of the book as this would disrupt the the smooth flow of the story. Thus, the best alternative is to withdraw it.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said in a press statement the BN government should not press any charges against the HRP and Hindraf protesters who took part in the convoy protest.
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