Malaysia’s Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf): A perspective from a Malay mainstream daily

Abstract

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) came to the forefront when it submitted a memorandum to the British Government asserting its rights 1 , and subsequently organized a rally to submit its petition to the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. The demonstration by 20,000 2 ethnic Indians from all walks of life was the first of its kind to be organized by Malaysian Indians. The rally shook the nation which later led to the electoral defeat of the Malaysian Indian Congress in the 12 th General Election of 8 March 2008, and subsequently none the better in the 13 th General Election held on May 20 2013. The mainstream Malay news media (Utusan Malaysia) owned by UMNO 3 , and considered a government propaganda tool had perceived the HINDRAF movement to be a threat to the nation. The objective of this paper is to discuss the stand taken by Utusan Malaysia in its objectivity in reporting Hindraf’s demonstration. This analysis is important as it was later admitted by the Malaysian government that Hindraf’s claims were valid.