UTHAYAKUMAR MUST ACTIVELY INCLUDE THE DISABLED IN HIS NEW PARTY

PETPOSITIVE SAYS:

Congratulations are in order for Uthayakumar's new Human Rights Party (HRP) that was launched today.

According to The Star, the multinational HRP aspires to "champion the rights of marginalised sectors of all communities."

That being so, then it MUST include the rights of people with disabilities who have been recognised as the world's largest minority group.

Despite living in a caring society concept in Malaysia, the handicapped community continues to be left out in much and many of the nation's development plans - from education to employment and disabled rights issues.

Uthayakumar, to our knowledge has championed the rights of disabled persons in the past. For this, we applaud him.

However, for the HRP to effectively be the voice of disabled Malaysians, they must include a disabled caucus or activist as part of their struggle.

Long live the HRP!

PET+BLOGSPOT

Published: Sunday Star, July 19, 2009 MYT 1:49:00 PM

Hindraf's Uthayakumar launches new political party

By WANI MUTHIAH

KLANG: Hindraf’s P. Uthayakumar launched a new multiracial party called Human Rights Party (HRP) with an objective to champion the rights of marginalised sectors of all communities.

After the launch here on Sunday, he announced that he was giving up practicing law and would fully concentrate on being a political activist and to lay the groundwork for the next general election.

He added that Hindraf will continue to be apolitical and will be led by his younger brother Waythamoorthy who is still in self exile in London.

Uthayakumar also identified 15 parlimentary and 38 state assembly seats that the party would contest in the elections.

He said he would hold the post of protem secretary-general of HRP but did not announce any other people or posts.

Uthayakumar, a former detainee under the Internal Security Act, also launched his book titled Malaysian Indian Political Empowerment Strategy: The Way Forward that was conceptualised and written during his 514 days detention in Kamunting.

About 2,000 people attended the launching ceremony at the Hokkien Hall here.

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