Malaysian PM steps up attack on Hindu outfit

KUALA LUMPUR: Stepping up his attack on a Hindu rights outfit which has alleged discrimination against ethnic Indians in Malaysia, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi on Monday said the government will not allow it to create chaos in the multi-racial country with its "baseless accusations".

"The government's success in developing Malaysia is a key element in efforts to counter baseless accusations levelled by Hindraf which are aimed at creating chaos in the country," Badawi said here as Kuala Lumpur showed no signs of relenting on the issue which has caused furore in India.

Addressing the monthly assembly for Prime Minister's Department staff, he said the non-government organisation was spreading "blatant lies" with the intention of arousing hatred among multiracial Malaysians.

Indians make up eight percent of Muslim majority Malaysia's 27 million people which also includes ethnic Malays and Chinese.

Abdullah said Hindraf had gone overboard in making wild accusations and causing chaos to further their narrow political interests, adding that the government would not allow lies to spread among the people.

Adding to the tough comments emanating from Kuala Lumpur, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar again warned against any foreign interference over the issue saying it was an internal matter and aggrieved citizens should approach the government and not seek outside help.

"Regardless of their ethnic origin, Malaysians have been Malaysians for the past 50 years, and are thus subjected to Malaysian laws and legislation," Albar told reporters here when asked about concerns raised by India regarding the treatment of ethnic Indians following a police crackdown on a rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) last month.

"This is Malaysia. We'll deal with our problems and issues according to our laws. Other countries should be mindful of our rights," the minister was quoted as saying by
national news agency Bernama.

More than 10,000 people of Indian origin took part in the rally, declared illegal by the government, late last month to voice concern over alleged marginalisation of ethnic Indians here.

The Hindraf had sent two letters to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown last month, accusing the Malaysian government of pursuing "ethnic cleansing" policies to drive out the Hindu minority, prompting an angry reaction from premier Abdullah.