Malaysia drops murder charges against Indians

KUALA LUMPUR: In the first sign of softening its stand, Malaysia on Monday dropped attempted murder charges against 31 ethnic Indians who took part in a massive anti-government protest against alleged marginalisation, with premier Abdullah Badawi assuring the community “I will not fail you”.Attorney-General Gani Patail dropped all charges against five students and brought lesser charges against 26 others who took part in the November 25, protest by Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), amid cheers from relatives and friends of the detainees. The charges of causing mischief and illegal assembly remain against 26 of the protesters, all of whom pleaded guilty at the Klang sessions court this morning and were freed on bail. They will go on trial on December 27.

“I could be very strict but I don’t think this is the time to be that strict,” Mr Patail said. He added that freeing the students would be the “best course of action” in public and national interest. “I will not fail you,” Mr Abdullah told a group of ethnic Indians last evening at his constituency of Kepala Batas and stressed on the need to maintain harmonious relations between all races in the predominantly Muslim country.

The so-called ‘Hindraf 31’ were slapped with the attempted murder charge, punishable by 20 years in jail, for allegedly injuring a policeman during the rally outside Batu Caves, which houses the temple of Lord Murugan.

However, five Hindraf leaders are still under detention under the controversial Internal Security Act that allows authorities to hold them indefinitely without trial. “The government will help whatever it can but to do my job, the country needs to peaceful and safe. That is why I had to take action recently,” the Premier said referring to the arrest of five Hindraf leaders.