Open Letter to YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi

Open Letter to YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi

Contact: Datuk A. Vaithilingam
E-mail: info@hindusangam.org.my
Tel: 03-7784 4668
No. 67, Jalan PJS 1/48
Taman Petaling Utama 7
46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor


YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Perdana Menteri Malaysia
Pejabat Perdana Menteri Malaysia,
Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan Tel: 8888 6000
62502 PUTRAJAYA. Fax: 8888 3444

Yang Amat Berhormat,

Open Letter: Appeal for rational discourse to alleviate plight of impoverished segments of the Indian community in Malaysia

I have been asked to write to Yang Amat Berhormat Perdana Menteri for and on behalf of the organizations listed below about the recent events regarding the Indian community in Malaysia. These organisations listed below are the main non governmental organisations in Malaysia (other than political parties) whose objectives are mainly with regard to the Indian community generally or persons professing the Hindu religion.

2. We wish to express our collective apprehension and regret at the increasingly strident voices of disunity threatening the ethnic harmony among Malaysians.

3. We note with grave concern the events of 25 November 2007 when tens of thousands of Indian-Malaysians from all walks of life gathered in Kuala Lumpur City Centre. They carried their frustrations, aspirations and a hope for a better future in Malaysia.

4. It is clear that there is a very significant segment of the Indian-Malaysian community who feel that their religious, educational, social and economic rights and interests are being marginalized and feel alienated from the mainstream development and progress of our nation.

5. Although the Malaysia Plans and Outline Perspective Plans have recognized the increasing income disparity among Malaysians and have taken positive measures to address it, clearly the government’s intervention strategy seems to have missed the Indian community.

6. There is, without doubt, a serious problem, and one that we are committed to overcoming. We hear the pleas of those who were forced by their circumstances to protest recently.

7. We are anxious to work together with all Malaysians to build a better home for all of us. To that end have consolidated our resources and are in the process of formulating our proposals for the Government’s consideration within the next one to three month period.

8. We express our earnest hope that our concerns could be addressed directly by Yang Amat Berhormat Perdana Menteri through dialogues and discussions, and that the Government will formulate appropriate policy measures, implementation strategies, and monitoring mechanisms.

9. All Malaysians are justifiably proud of our long history of living together in peace and harmony. This has been because of our mutual understanding, and our common goal in building a united nation of our diverse people.

10. In keeping with this long standing tradition, we take this opportunity to wish Yang Amat Berhormat and all our Muslim brothers and sisters Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha.

Thank you.

Yours in service,



Datuk A Vaithilingam PJN, SSA, AMN, ASA, PJK


For and on behalf of Indian Organisations listed below:

1. Malaysia Hindu Sangam
2. Sri Murugan Centre
3. Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia
4. Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
5. Child Information, Learning and Development Centre
6. Malaysian Hindu Youth Council
7. Majlis Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Malaysia
8. Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram
9. Persatuan Telugu Malaysia
10. All Malaysia Malayalee Association
11. Yayasan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Pendidikan Tamil Malaysia (Tamil Foundation)
12. Education and Research Association of Consumer, Malaysia
13. Malaysian Dravidian Association
14. Malaysian Archagar Sangam
15. Group of Concerned Citizens
16. Saiva Siddhanta Mandram Malaysia
17. Malaysia Hindu Sevai Sangam
18. Malaysian Indian Development Association
19. Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates
20. Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations
21. Rudra Devi Samaj Malaysia
22. Malaysia Arulneri Thirukootam
23. Malaysian Indian Metal Traders Association
24. Persatuan Sangkara Malaysia
25. Malaysian Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
26. Malaysian Indian Historical Association
27. Nationwide Human Development and Research Centre
28. Thiruvarul Thavaneri Mandram Malaysia
29. Persatuan Meditasi Malaysia (Dhyana Ashram)
30. Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation
31. Malaysian Ceylon Saivites Association
32. Klang Consumer Association
33. Thiruvalluvar Naneri Mayam Cameron Highlands
34. Persatuan Kebajikan Dan Sosial Kamakshi Wilayah Utara
35. Divine Life Society PJ
36. World Tamil Federation – Malaysian Chapter
37. Malaysia Indian Progressive Educational Society
38. Malaysia Thanavasiya Association
39. Astronomical Research Society of Selangor State
40. Malaysian Indian Development & Unity Association
41. Malaysian Indian Sevai Sangam
42. Malaysia Lekshmi Pooja Meditation Society
43. Persatuan Kebajikan Namakkal Malaysia
44. The New Millennium Indian Business Association of Malaysia
45. Persatuan Kebajikan Vanniar Malaysia
46. Persatuan Yatavar Malaysia
47. Persatuan Prihatin Belia Malaysia
48. Persatuan Kemajuan Pendidikan Malaysia

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