This Article is From May 12, 2009

Malaysia: Indian leader renounces street protests

Malaysia: Indian leader renounces street protests

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Kuala Lumpur: An ethnic Indian who spent 17 months in jail for leading a massive anti-government protest has promised that his group would not go back to the streets to fight for minority rights in Malay-majority Malaysia.

"Armed struggle is out of the question," P Uthayakumar said after being freed from jail on Saturday. But he vowed to carry on his struggle through a "landmark plan" he crafted in prison, which he said will force the government to address the grievances of Indians, including lack of jobs, poor living conditions, decrepit schools and greater religious freedom.

He refused to elaborate on the plan, except to say it is a strategic 50-page proposal that involves "social" solutions. He said he will reveal it in four to six weeks.

It will make "not only the government (but) also the " work for the Indian community, he said. "With this plan we will become a force to be reckoned with. It does not involve street demonstrations, definitely not".

"It is a legal, constitutional, democratic and peaceful plan," he said. He also refused to say if he plans to start a political party, but rejected joining any party.

Uthayakumar and four other activists of Hindraf, were arrested in December 2007 after they led an unprecedented protest by tens of thousands of ethnic Indians in downtown Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 to demand equality.
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