Hindraf will join coalition only after its leaders are released from detention under ISA

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 13 (ANI): Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) national event coordinator Kannan Ramasamy has reportedly said that the organisation looking after the interests of the Indians in Malaysia will only consider becoming a direct member of Barisan Nasional ?if its leaders are released from the Internal Security Act (ISA)?.

He said the movement also wanted to negotiate with the Malaysian Government to ensure the safe return of its chairman P. Waythamoorthy from London.

Ramasamy said while responding to Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ah­­mad Badawi?s proposal to allow direct membership into the Barisan without the need to join any of the component parties.

?All this while, we have been calling for negotiations and even sent official letters to the Prime Minister. But until today, we haven?t had any opportunity to discuss issues of concern,? staronline.com quoted him as saying.

He that if Barisan were to accept direct members, the coalition must view all as equals. ?Without a change of mindset from Umno and reformation of the Barisan strategy, the move to allow direct entries would not aid the current situation,? he said. (ANI)