Indians don’t need Hindraf, says Najib

The Indian community does not need Hindraf, the banned Hindu Rights Action Force, because the government has been looking after its interests, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.

The prime minister said the Indian community should be with Barisan Nasional which took seriously the future well-being of every race in the country.

“We have taken action on the question of Indian community interests, meaning that they don’t need Hindraf, they only need BN,” Najib (picture) told reporters after chairing an Umno supreme council meeting here.

Commenting on the reported possibility of Hindraf creating trouble at a rally held without police permission this Sunday, he said he wanted the authorities to take appropriate action under the law so that the banned organisation did not re-emerge.

Kerdau hit by party flag free-for-all

Political parties are free to put up their flags tomorrow morning when marching to the nomination centre in support of their candidates for the Kerdau by-election, says the Election Commission (EC).

Kerdau, Merlimau nominations start

BN supporters wave flags ahead of the Kerdau nomination today, February 26, 2011.

The nomination centres for both the Kerdau and Merlimau state by-elections were opened at 9am today.

Returning officer for the Kerdau poll, Datuk Tarif Abdul Rahman, said the centre would be open for one hour to accept nominations, after which there would be an objection period of one hour.

He said it was hoped that all political parties would adhere to the Election Commission rules during the nomination process.

Down in Malacca, returning officer Roslan Eusoff announced the same timeframe for the nominations there.

Heavy police presence was seen near the Merlimau nomination centre.

The Kerdau seat fell vacant following the death of the assemblyman, Datuk Zaharuddin Abu Kassim of the Barisan Nasional (BN), on February 12, while the Merlimau poll was triggered by the death of Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan, 56, also of BN, on January 20.

Voting for both polls will be held concurrently on March 6.