19/18: Samy Vellu happy murder bid charge against 31 dropped

The Star
MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has thanked Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail for dropping the attempted murder charge against 31 people who were involved in the Hindraf illegal demonstration on Nov 25.

“I am very happy the courts freed some of the detainees of all charges while bail was given to the other detainees,” he said in a statement.

“He (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) has shown his caring nature and responsibility as a prime minister for all races,” he added.

Samy Vellu said the Barisan Nasional Government had shown sympathy towards the suffering and sadness of families of the detainees.

“The Government wants them to return to society and continue with their daily life as responsible and law-abiding citizens,” he said.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz welcomed the Attorney-General’s move to drop the charge against the protesters.

“We are not against Indians or after their blood but we are against any extremist, regardless of race,” he said when met at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

“They (protesters) have since come forward, and stated that they regretted their actions and would not participate in such activities in the future,” he said, adding that the Attorney-General had taken their appeals into consideration.

Several groups had appealed to the Attorney-General to drop the charge against the 31, who included students, farmers, drivers and odd-job workers.

Their parents, too, made tearful appeals for their release, claiming their children joined the rally without realising the consequences, were misled by Hindraf and hoodwinked into believing it was for a worthy cause.

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang also welcomed the Attorney-General’s move to drop the attempted murder charge but said he should have withdrawn all charges.

He also called on the Attorney-General and the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to substantiate or withdraw their allegations against Hindraf leaders of terrorist links.