Thank you, says MIC

MIC today thanked the government for dropping the attempted murder charge against 31 Indians who were arrested for illegal gathering at Batu Caves on Nov 25. In a Bernama report, MIC president S Samy Vellu said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was sympathetic to the plight of the detainees’ families and instructed Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail to consider their appeals. MIC appreciates the government’s efforts to alleviate the families’ burden and for displaying care and concern for all races, he added.

Samy Vellu also said he was happy that the court had freed several suspects from all charges while the rest have been released on bail. “The Barisan Nasional government has been sympathetic to the sufferings and sadness of the families and wants to see the detainees return to society to continue living as law-abiding and responsible citizens. “MIC will continue to champion the interests of the Indian community to ensure a bright future for them,” he added.

The Nov 25 rally, organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), saw some 30,000 Indians taking to the streets. The 31 were accused of attempting to murder a policeman. Five Hindraf leaders have since been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Police keeping tabs In a related development, Deputy Internal Security Minister Mohd Johari Baharom said the police, in collaboration with international law enforcement agencies, will continue to monitor the overseas activities Hindraf. He said the agencies were the European Law Enforcement Organisation (Europol), Asean police (Aseanapol) and Interpol. Commenting on reports of attempts by Hindraf chairperson P Waytha Moorthy, to garner support abroad, he said: They are not only monitoring the group, but everything." He said the Malaysian police's good ties with international law enforcement agencies would enable the force to obtain more information on crime activities abroad.