S Manikavasagam is first time Member of Parliament Malaysia, Kapar(P.109).He stood under the ticket of Parti Keadilan Rakyat(PKR). He also sits in PKR's Supreme Body Council and PKR's Political Bureau Member .
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 — Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam has snubbed the invitation by two Umno leaders for him to join Barisan Nasional.
Manikavasagam told The Malaysian Insider he would “live or die” with PKR despite his differences with Selangor’s Pakatan Rakyat leadership and he had no intention of jumping ship.
“No thanks,” was his response to the invitation from Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib and state opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mond Khir Toyo.
Manikavasagam said crossing over would betray the Hindraf 5, who have been detained under the Internal Security Act, and voters in Kapar who voted overwhelmingly for PKR on March 8.
The embattled first-term MP, who has come under fire from within his own party for his persistent criticisms against the state PR leadership, admitted problems existed.
Burdened with an overwhelming obligation to the people who voted for change, especially the Indian community, Manikavasagam said he is frustrated this change has been slow in coming.
“I have been vilified in the press, by my own party members, for trying to be a hero to the Indians but are they (critics) going to help the community if I shut up.”
Manikavasagam, who has been at the forefront in handling social issues affecting the Indian community for over almost a decade, said he has no intention of changing his confrontational style just because he is now a PKR MP.
In September, he took to task the Selangor Menteri Besar for not going to the ground to visit victims of a freak storm in Klang and more recently he was embroiled in a public argument with Selangor Speaker Teng Chang Khim over the relocation of the bus terminal in Klang.
However, Manikavasagam is aware the open battles in the press are only benefiting BN and is adopting a unilateral ceasefire — for now.
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Jan 6, 2009 at 22:27:07
YB, I bring to your attention the article below but more importantly the 22 comments (so far) this article has garnered. Just for your FYI
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/15344-in-chennai-a-new-party-for-indians-in-malaysia
In Chennai, a new party for Indians in Malaysia?
By Baradan Kuppusamy
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 - Plans are afoot for a new political party to tap the support of working class Indians for the outlawed Hindraf movement.
Malaysian Indians from across the political divide and who have been at each other’s throats recently have taken their differences to Chennai where a three-day Indian Diaspora Conference starts tomorrow.
While the MIC, DAP and PKR teams are expected to stick to their usual “at each other” script, the real new development there is the exploratory talks to be chaired by Hndraf chairman P. Waythamoorty that will take place on the sidelines of the conference, to form a new Indian political party.
Waythamoorty and his brother, Hindraf legal adviser P. Uthayakumar, who is being detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), had decided during a “discussion” on Dec 30 that the best way to move forward theirs and Hindraf’s agenda is to set up a new Indian political party that can consolidate the gains of the Nov 25, 2007 protest and maximize the political awakening of the Tamil working class masses.
They feel that the Hindraf movement has been “hijacked” by the opposition political parties including even PAS through its network of PAS Indian Clubs, and that the awakened Indian voice has become fragmented and submerged by the Malay agenda in PKR and the Islamic agenda of PAS.
They also feel that the DAP is too much of a Chinese party to adequately represent Indian interests and that the party’s Indian leaders had also rode the Hindraf wave and benefitted hugely but had not pressed the DAP and by extension the Pakatan Rakyat to alleviate the pressing problems faced by the Indian community.
Hindraf insiders said Waythamoorty’s next important task, besides getting a new Indian party moving, is to free the movement’s leaders, especially Uthayakumar, from Kamunting.
He is even lobbying Sonia Gandhi, the real power behind Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to help intervene on his behalf to free his brother.
It is no secret that Uthayakumar and Waythamoorty have had a huge falling out with other Hindraf leaders in ISA detention, accusing some of them of being Special Branch agents.
His relationship with DAP’s M. Manogaran is also on the rocks, insiders said, adding Uthayakumar wants to “break free from the others and save Hindraf before it is to late.”
While there are no signs as yet from the government over the release of the five, the decision to form a new Indian party would have a significant impact on Indian politics.
A lot however depends on whether Waythamoorty is able to win over PKR Indian leaders like S. Manikavasagam and some DAP Indian leaders to the idea of a new party.
It would be an uphill task, especially with DAP Indian leaders like Dr P. Ramasamy and M.Kulasegaran, who are loyal not only to the party but also to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.
They are unlikely to break away.
But the same cannot be said of PKR Indian leaders like Kapar MP Manikavasagam who are more amenable to forming a new Indian party especially when such a move is ego-satisfying, glamorous and gives high status among Tamils.
These leaders are also close to Uthayakumar and see him as their political and ideological guru.
There are already talks that a hidden hand is behind the move to form a new Indian party to wean away Hindraf supporters from Pakatan Rakyat and especially PKR.
There is strong emotional attachment for the Hindraf Five among working class Indians who see them as individuals who took great personal risks to champion their cause.
They also feel that the five sacrificed themselves for them and that it was time to pay back in kind. If Uthayakumar forms a new Indian party it is likely he will win strong support from the Tamil masses.
Such a party, if it takes off, would have a major impact on Indian support for Pakatan Rakyat, the MIC and even the BN.
“We think that the time is right for Hindraf to come together into a political party and negotiate with both the Pakatan and BN governments for better benefits for Indians,” said a Hindraf leader now in Chennai.
“We are awakened and we must forge our own political path and not beg from either the BN or the Pakatan for help,” he said. “We are a significant minority and both sides need us and want us and that gives us bargaining powers.”
“We should use this opportunity to better ourselves,” he said.
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Comments (22)
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written by Skeletor, January 06, 2009
If they abandon Pakatan Rakyat now, BN will eat everyone alive. This is the opportunity BN/UMNO/MIC has been looking for. DO NOT DO IT for godsakes!! Don’t fall into the trap!
+7 …
written by goofy, January 06, 2009
Manikavasagam should realise that he the MP for the Malaysians and not Indians. He stood under a multi-racial party and not as an Indian party like MIC. If Manikavasagam want to switch camp he should resign from PKR.
(Malaysian Indian)
+5 Malaysian Indian should give full support to DAP
written by Honest view, January 06, 2009
My honest view on Malaysian Indian marginalization which gave birth to Hindraf should be tackled not on racial point of view, which in this case Indian.
DAP, one of the oldest multiracial party in Malaysia, are being perceived as a Chinese party simply because its memberships are Chinese majority. No thank to MSM to this wrong perception. If DAP is a racist Chinese party, by right we can’t see MPs like P.Patto, V David, Karpal Singh, Kulasegaran, just to name a few, being nominated to contest and win in general elections. Just compare to BN, how many Indian MP that they have as compared to the whole of Pakatan Rakyat or just at DAP level.
Setting up of another Indian party would not help in solving the Malaysian Indian dilemma. One thing for sure, Hindraf should not have the mentality of only Indian can help Indian. They must discard such mentality. If not, you guys are back to square like BN mentality.
+12 Wrong Move
written by sans, January 06, 2009
This is the wrong move, consolidating into another race based party, the Anti-MIC, MIC. What is the difference in the long run? 10, 20 years from now? It will be another party claiming to represent all indians and the supreme champion of the indians.
The issue faced by those of Indian descent are also faced by our brothers and sisters in Sarawak. These are not communal issues (except for a specific few, like the destruction of temples faced by Hindu Indians). If these issues continue to be seen as communal issues, we will never be able to break free of race (and religious) based politics. We will be in the same straightjacket, with racial political leaders claiming to represent the whole race and claiming “ownership” over a race.
Where is Malaysia in all of this?
+5 Can Hindraf go it alone?
written by Malaysian, January 06, 2009
Why is Hindraf bent on going the racist way when it has been proven that majority of Malaysians want multi-racialism in politics? Will Hindraf garner the votes from the other races when Indians do not form a majority in any constituencies anywhere in Malaysia? Hoping for sympathy votes? Not bloody likely if they are hell bent on going it alone. They will be sidelined like MIC and MCA.
+4 This is hogwash
written by Abdallah, January 06, 2009
The thing is that I don’t buy anything one Baradan writes so it is of no value to read his preposterous unending claims of this and that “insider” sources. He is an old man, when will he know dingity is earned and lies don’t sustain themselves? His hostility to Pakatan and in particular to its leader is making him look like an abandoned grandfather cursing people daily. Listen to me, even if Indians form a political party (now they have 4 and then they are another 4-that’s 8) what would they gain? Tell me a single seat where they can win on their own? They are 8% of the population and in every seat they form a paltry minority, does that make them get overconfident and form parties as of those parties can make them win anything? And do you think Malays and Chinese will entertain Indians when they behave like unnatural people (taking into consideration of what you are talking about)? Indians in Kapar constitute 12%, so the MP is an MP bcoz of Malay and Chinese vote. If he were to stand on Hindraf Party, where would that take him to? And tell me any seat an Indian can win on his own? I will give over 150 seats where Malays can win on their own including Kapar? Indian MPs and DAP and PKR won bcoz of non-Indian voters in their constituencies. All it takes is to further divide Indians by pitting one against the other and they would lose all, something that will be counterproductive. Malays who form the majority have only 3 parties, why do Indians who are mere 6% need 9 parties? To satisfy the greed of their leaders? Ish! No wonder Tunku said even there are two Indians, they would want to have their party. That’s good for non-Indians bcoz by dividing themselves, they would have harmed themselves. But by forming zillion parties, they need to know that it is a non-starter. Go and dream and continue concocting ghost stories.
+1 …
written by Minority, January 06, 2009
If one is a minority in ABC Sdn Bhd, one can be easily removed no matter how powerful one is in ABC or important to ABC. The rule of law more often than not were not applied accordingly.
MIC has been (or used to be) a strong and powerful party, but what can they do or rather there is limitation on what they can do? So is MCA. In order for the minority to have some say is to break the 2/3 majority rule. ( Whether BN or Pakatan)
By forming more Indian party, it will dilute the voice of the Indians.It is difficulty to image how the new party were to negotiate with both BN and Pakatan at the same time and at each General Election? Pakatan is formed to be a multi-racial party and it will take time to achieve it certainly not within a year or two. More problem like Klang Bus Station will crop up in the near future and it will be better for the minority to stick to and help Pakatan to resolve it than BN at least for now.
+3 Dream on
written by Inspire, January 06, 2009
We are not in
+1 Divide and Conquer
written by butt.foxx, January 06, 2009
The BN govt had always and continued to employ ‘divide and conquer’ to rule the country and this has contributed to the racial divide that we have today. We need to overcome this big mental issue on “RACE” and all stand as one to break the ‘divide and conquer’ tactics used by the BN govt. By having another race dominated party will only mean that we are all falling for the same old ‘divide and conquer’ tactics.
+2 …
written by zik, January 06, 2009
Hey.. I thought ONLY UMNO & BN racist..doesn’t thought HINDRAF also similliar..as a Malay I’m regreted explaining why HINDRAF is fighting BN to my family and friends..
+1 Color Blind
written by Rakyat Biasa, January 06, 2009
After 308,
Many should realize no one human should be treated special another should be treated unfair.
Colors of our skin means may be difference but the color of blood is the same.
If one should think that he/she has been ill treated, stand up on your own don’t expect others to hold you up for the rest of your life.
Anyone who is asking for special treatment than you are no different from the people who will abuse NEP.
I agree that the poor must be help,but not spoon feed,there is a saying,teach a man to fish is better to give him a fish a day,how long can you feed him?
Many hard core poor is not only one race,many in Malaysia are still suffering from poverty,the chosen one who promise them the good life has forgotten the words he has given,the social obligation they made is in the drain,the money suppose to improve their living skill were never channel to them.
If we want a better Malaysia,we should forget all the colors we see,the race we are,the religion we believed, lets stand together , strive together,and give a better future to our children.
But it is easy to say and it is difficult to do,as long as there are those who insist to fight for their own race in the expense of the other, Malaysia will NEVER achieve that dream to have EQUALITY to all.
UNITE, WE WILL STAND.
+1 Segregation is not the solution!
written by Chelvarzi, January 06, 2009
WE all agree and acceptthat Hindraf has become the champion of Working Class Indians.Then IPF which supposed to represent Working Class Indians is in a dilemma after the demise of its founder.We should not be surprised to see another Indian party representing the Executive Class Indians and of course another party to represent the minute segment of the elite Indians.We already have United Malaysian Indian Party, PPP and MIC to whom most of us are not bothered to associate with.We would end up having multiple parties representing the same segmented community. Don’t you think it is ridiculous?
You are not solving problems, you are trying to alienate, isolate and segregate yourself and your followers from the mainstream politics and the common mission of New Malaysia.
Hello my friends who are leading the Hindraf and the leaders who are already representives of all Malaysians, use your political intelligence in the right direction. Do not become the victims of your own emotions and do not jeopradize the lives and trust of the people whom you represent.
Resolve the issues and differences amicably and harmoniously among yourself within your system.Hindraf has been the supporter of PKR and Anwar.Let it be like that.Initiate and negotiate for changes by being within the system and not by coming out of the system.
All Malaysians should come out of race politics and work towards politics of common good of all.We all should strive to unite and integrate under one Malaysian identity and political banner.
By dividing ourselves further, we are going to loose more than we can gain.It is your mission, vision and goals that matter most than the banner you represent.Do not make another blunder. Political representation by race or religion is no longer the right weapon or solution to alleviate the plight of the marginalised community.
+0 …
written by kalai perumal, January 06, 2009
give chance to the Pakatan,dont make haste decisions as multiracial platform is the only way to resolve problems in Malaysia. please dont create another race based political party,enough is enough.Aim is to make ANUAR our prime minister. Haste is a waste.Be Malaysian in deed and heart.Enough of racism and just see around, racism is corroding away basic human trust which should be the very fundamental for humans to survive.The amount of ammunition used in conflicts can feed the poor and the weak.Thing wisely.
+0 …
written by zaid, January 06, 2009
As usual the Hindraf leaders become power hungry and betray their supporters to support their own cause. Jangan kena tipu. They will become another Samy when they get the power.
+0 Bloody wrong move
written by Raj Kumar, January 06, 2009
I truly hope Waythamoorthy and his allies dont make the mistake of forming another Indian based party, look at what MIC, IPF, MUIP has achieved so far (zit), it only leads to further division of indians in this country. March 2008 has proven that Malaysians are able to look beyond race and vote for change. Multiracialism is the way to go, why cant Hindraf just bide their time, and continue to support Pakatan Rakyat. Change will surely come by GE13 if not earlier. Please for godsake do not split us further, our childrens future in this country is at stake. Indians need to realize that PR just controlling 5 states with the richest state Selangor having a GDP of only 1% of national GDP cannot afford to accommodate all their expectations. PR need to form the next federal government to achieve anything meaningful
+0 this would set back time…
written by outsider, January 06, 2009
This move would create a new ‘MIC’ but not under the umbrella of BN. That’s just the thing BN is waiting for. The future is in politics that listen to malaysians, ALL malaysians, with no dicrimination in race or religion. And all malaysians should be able to have confidence that their specific issues are regarded and dealt with.
Please DONT do this… Instead find a way to race your voice better in the current none race/religion based parties.
+0 My fear confirmed
written by Malaysian, January 06, 2009
I have always been apprehensive that HINDRAF is very narrow minded and just as racist as UMNO/BN. The name alone suggests itself. The only difference is UMNO is oppressive racist while HINDRAF is marginalized racist.
HINDRAF is all about Indian and MAKKAL SAKTHI is about Indian Power, not People Power. Remember immediately after the election HINDRAF said “Makkal Sakthi” put PR into power so it’s time to repay them by a Deputy MB post? Meaning makkal sakthi is Indian Power.
If UMNO/BN throws a billion for the Indian community but still remain as corrupt, power abusive, racist, disregard rule of laws, disrespect human rights ..etc HINDRAF couldn’t careless but would throw their support behind UMNO.
Someday if they become powerful and replace MIC they will be behaving as racist as MIC. The we shall return to the same old racial politics.
+0 One blood
written by Jack, January 06, 2009
stop this….we need to work as one “MALAYSIAN”. race based parties are BN mentality.
+0 …
written by bayi, January 06, 2009
I have always had this fear that the HINDRAF leaders would try to milk something out of their efforts the moment they feel that their efforts have been “hijacked”. The cause for the betterment of the Indian community is far larger than HINDRAF and the main platform they ride on has to be multi-racial. This was the ideal that carried Barisan Rakyat thus far. And HINDRAF should continue on the basis of this platform before Barisan Nasional performs the mother of all hijacks.
+0 forming an Indian Political party for the working class
written by flying dragon, January 06, 2009
Why do you want to differentiate the indians into ordinary and working class? Are the Indians currently well represented under Pakatan Rakyat then under the BN past and present? Think over it seriously not once, twice but many times ……..If PR is not able to take over the Federal Government soon or GE 13, Hindraf supporters you can be sure that your leader who is in exile will not be able to come back, if so back be sure he will be under ISA provided …………..
Be together and be with PR and later uplift the hardcore poors. Rome was not built in one day.
+0 Chennai auta
written by Blue, January 06, 2009
These autas still don’t get it, do they? Indians constitute less than 2% of the population and the number is steadily declining. How on earth a political party which relies exclusively on millitant hindus and racist indians could survive outside india? Such an entity is not even popular with india indians, let alone malaysia indians. Majority of indians here are law abiding community and peaceful citizen. Millitancy or religious extremism is so alien to them until nomandic goons like Waythamoorthy started blowing the trumphets. A new political entity that these diasporas are drumming-up will dissapear as quickly as it’s set-up - absolutely!.
-1 Not very clver
written by Joeawk, January 06, 2009
If forming a party can work, then MIC would have succeeded in helping the indians. From the outset, it would sems very right to do so, but in essence, a small grouping of indians would be easily subject to manipulation, both internally and externally.
Besides, that is not the way forward for either the Indians or malaysians. We are already into a two party colaition, why the need to form an Indian party for indians?
Count your numbers in the PR, have you really been under represented or have you been expecting or asking too much and too fast.
The downtrodden and the discriminated are not among the indians only. In numbers, there are more malays and chinese, not to mention the natives in Sabah and Sarawak.
Look around and see for yourself. See with your eyes and not your ass and you will know that you have somehow also have been privileged, no worse than the chinese, if not better.