Don't jump to conclusions, says PM

KAMPALA (UGANDA): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has urged the public not to jump to conclusions and view police action against three members of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) as racial in nature.

"It has nothing to do with race. People should stop linking or viewing everything that happens in the country as a racial matter," he said.

He added that people should not be too quick to make such unfounded claims.

"Those who commit offences will have to face charges," Abdullah told Malaysian journalists at the end of the first day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting here.

Abdullah, who is also the Internal Security Minister, said police had evidence to charge the three men for making seditious statements and speeches.

The police have been monitoring the activities of the three men and their group for a while now, he said.

"We have to take action if these people have clearly committed offences," said Abdullah, adding that the arrest and charging of the three members had no connection with the planned gathering by Hindraf outside the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

By DEVID RAJAH Source: TheStar.com