Three pro-Hindraf people contacted me in the last three weeks to write about Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy. I wanted to gain an objective and balanced report because Hindraf's exposé of the marginalised Indians and Waythamoorthy's contribution to help them is well-documented.

However, many questions that puzzle the Malaysian public remain unanswered. I sent the questions I had to Waythamoorthy, twice, but there has been no response from him, or from any of his aides.

Easter is a celebration of Jesus' resurrection, but it also signifies sacrifice and a new beginning. Waythamoorthy made a political statement through his hunger strike, but his sacrifice may end up dividing the nation further.

NONEWhen Malaysians go to the polls in GE13, they want this opportunity to breathe new life into the nation. The marginalised Indians are euphoric about being kingmakers in GE13 but if Umno wins, it would not be difficult to imagine who the nation will blame and who will be the biggest losers.

Waythamoorthy's hunger strike has provoked both political and race rows, besides enraging Malaysians and some allies in England, his former country of exile.

Instead of gaining additional support for Hindraf, Waythamoorthy has, to his chagrin, been treated with contempt. He has been accused of using emotional blackmail to force either BN or the opposition, to accept his blueprint. He has been branded an opportunist.

Six years ago, Waythamoorthy rode high on the tide of public sympathy for the plight of the marginalised Indians; but in 2013, he may have miscalculated the mood of the nation. His hunger strike was given the oxygen of publicity by the alternative media, but the mainstream media made reference only after his meeting with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Various people in England, who had met Waythamoorthy and supported his cause, were asked to comment on Hindraf's latest approach to both BN and Pakatan. The reactions were varied.

'I'm not sure of his objectives any more'

There was disappointment. One response: "I used to think he was courageous. I am not so sure of his objectives any more. After lambasting Umno, why make overtures to Najib?"

One was puzzled: "The Malays are openly criticising race-based policies. Now, Waythamoorthy appears to incite Indians to back policies that champion only Indian causes."

Another was vexed and said, "I think you need to be an Indian to understand what Hindraf and Waythamoorthy are campaigning for. Few Chinese and certainly even fewer Malays will understand. They have not been subjected to the same treatment."

Some offered blind allegiance: "I support his call to abstain from the next election, for the next 56 years if necessary. Public opinion is fickle."

Waythamoorthy is responsible for the consequences of his hunger strike, but the emotional scenes of friends, supporters and family pleading with him to end his strike, have brought mixed reaction.

Some claim that Waythamoorthy is distracting the nation from the more serious issues of a delayed election, corruption, national security, the Suluk invasion and the disturbing presence of frigates from the People's Republic of China, just off Bintulu in Sarawak.

Only a naïve politician, or one who is desperate for power, would think he could move BN, Pakatan Rakyat or the Malaysian rakyat in this manner.

hindraf shah alam court 171207 gandhiOne political observer said: "Gandhi went on many hunger strikes to protest about the injustice of British rule in India. Fearful that he would die on their watch, the British made concessions.

"Do you think the ruling BN cares? Gandhi fought for all - that means Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians - in the Indian subcontinent. Waythamoorthy is thinking of only the Indians."

Having failed in his attempt to get either BN or Pakatan to endorse his blueprint, Waythamoorthy has threatened to instruct Hindraf's supporters to abstain from voting in GE13. His action is reckless and a complete betrayal of the rakyat. Punishing BN and PR may mean that the marginalised Indians whom he claims to represent, will also end up as losers.

Unanswered questions

This writer has unsuccessfully tried to approach Waythamoorthy, or a person who will speak on behalf of Hindraf. These questions were put to him, and to date, the questions remain unanswered:

1. You appear to target the opposition, instead of focusing your ire on BN, whose policies corrupted the country and its institutions. Some people accuse you of prostituting yourself by approaching both parties. What have you to say about this?

2. For 56 years, BN continually broke its promises to the Indians. Do you like the Umno/BN style of governance? What is your view of Umno's corruption? Can you continue to claim to be principled when you enter into talks with BN?

3. You were given your passport, safe passage into Malaysia via the Causeway and later, the ban on Hindraf was lifted. Some people allege that Hindraf had done a "deal" with Umno, perhaps, even with Mahathir, the former PM. Is there any substance to this allegation?

4. Is Hindraf trying to fill the vacuum left by the MIC?

NONE5. Hindraf started as a human rights organisation, but has morphed into a race-based political party. How is Malaysia to move forward and reject racial politics if you continue to play the race card? How are your policies better than Pakatan's?

6. You appear to be fighting racism with more racism. Not all Malays or bumiputeras benefit from the NEP. Many indigenous peoples from Sarawak are also stateless. Hindraf will look after the Indians, so what will Hindraf do for the poor people from the Malay, Chinese and other communities?

7. Many people have been played out by Umno and Najib. What makes you think that they will honour their promises and keep their "janji ditepati" to you?

8. Hindraf demanded 10 parliamentary and seven state seats for it to contest from Pakatan. Have you made a similar demand to BN?

9. Do you seriously think you will win the 17 parliamentary and state seat allocations you demanded from Pakatan? Is it wise to tell your followers to abstain from voting?

10. Do you think BN is alarmed about the consequences of your hunger strike? Do you think you will make a significant impact on Malaysians? What are your real reasons for going on this strike? What do you seek to accomplish with this hunger strike? What will make you start eating again?

Hindraf exposed the displacement of the estate workers over the last four decades. Private estates were purchased and taken over by the government-linked companies (GLCs) to create vast plantations. The bottom line was profit.

Why labour, immigration laws not challenged?

Umno knows that cheap labour fuels the Malaysian economy. Umno's madness was a three-pronged attack: Immigrants, both legal and illegal, provided cheap labour. Immigrants who were predominantly Muslim could be manipulated to uphold racial and religious policies. Immigrants provided Umno with votes.

Why has Waythamoorthy not challenged the labour and immigration laws, and attempted to force the GLCs to absorb the displaced Indians?

Malaysians abhor racial and religious-based politics. Waythamoorthy's intransigence fuels further persecution of the marginalised Indians.

If the Indians follow Waythamoorthy's call to abstain from voting, both Hindraf and the Indians will be isolated from any role in the governance of Malaysia. They will play no part in the shaping of policies to help poor Malaysians, regardless of ethnicity.

Waythamoorthy has a long way to go before he grasps the enormity of Hindraf's betrayal. Perhaps, he could swallow his pride and accept the face-saving offer by Karpal Singh to resume negotiations with the opposition.

Happy Easter!

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MARIAM MOKHTAR is a non-conformist traditionalist from Perak, a bucket chemist and an armchair eco-warrior. In ‘real-speak', this translates into that she comes from Ipoh, values change but respects culture, is a petroleum chemist and also an environmental pollution-control scientist.