Civil Society in Action

By Joe Fernandez

Dear All,

P. Uthayakumar of the HRPM sees "Civil Society" in Malaysia as one big joke.

He sees Hindraf Makkal Sakthi and HRPM coming out in support of the Orang Asli, the Christians and the natives in Sabah and Sarawak, among others, but it's always a one-way traffic. He doesn't see any action, let alone even statements, from other marginalised communities and the minorities in support of Hindraf and HRPM. Among those remaining silent, he includes "the great Dr Jeffrey Kitingan".

Uthaya remembers once attending an anti-apartheid rally in London in front of the South African Embassy. "Ninety eight per cent of the demonstrators were whites," recalls Uthaya. " That's Civil Society in Action. When something is wrong, no matter who it involves, you not only speak out but stand up to be counted in support."

So, Anwar Ibrahim's Masyarakat Madani, Najib's 1M'sia and Lim Kit Siang's Middle M'sia "are all just plain rubbish, humbuggery of the highest order and racist", according to Uthaya.

He wants those who want to prove him wrong to assemble in front of the KLCC on Sun 27Feb in support of Hindraf's and HRPM's rally against racism, racial prejudice, racial polarisation, marginalisation and disenfranchisement in Malaysia.

What are your thoughts on how Uthaya feels?

I will be working on a comment piece on this issue as a follow-up to Feb 27.