GE13: Hindraf to partner with Barisan, says Waythamoorthy

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairman P. Waythamoorthy announced Thursday that the movement had decided to partner with the Barisan Nasional for the sake of the nation's marginalised Indian community.

In his speech at the MOU between Hindraf and the Barisan Nasional, Waythamorthy said both parties would sign a five-year blueprint to bring the Indian poor into the mainstream of national development.

Waythamoorthy said Hindraf had spent eight months negotiating with both Barisan and Pakatan Rakyat.

"We had 24 meetings, six of which were official, but Pakatan told us that they did not want to sign the blueprint," said Waythamoorthy.

He added that Barisan had, however, agreed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak saying that the contents were similar to the ruling coalition's plans for the Indians.

He urged all Hindraf members to ensure that Barisan wins the polls.

Najib said Barisan would ensure that its promises to the Indian community would be kept.

"We will establish a special unit in the Prime Minister's department to see that the promise to the Indian community is kept," said Najib in his speech at the MOU signing ceremony between Hindraf and Barisan Nasional.

The MOU was signed by Hindraf chairman P.Waythamoorthy and Barisan secretary-general Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Najib added that contents of the Hindraf blueprint was similar to the contents of the Barisan manifesto.

"What is mentioned by Mr Waythamoorthy is in the Barisan manifesto but you can't find it in the Pakatan manifesto,” he said.

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