Your Reference:

In Reply :

Date : 26^th July 2012

YAB. Dato Seri Najib Razak

Prime Minister of Malaysia,

Block Utama Bangunan Perdana Putra,                           Fax : 03-8888 3444

Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,                     E-Mail : najib@pmo.gov.my

62502 Putrajaya.

YB Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Bin Yaakob

Domestic Minister Trade and Consumer Affairs

Ara 13 (Menara),

No. 13, Persiraan Perdana,                                         Fax: 03-88825768

Presint 2,                                                                  E-Mail :ismailsabri@kpdnk.gov.my

Pusat Pentadbiran Kerjaan Persekutuan

62623 Putrajaya

Dear Sirs,

Re : Permits denied to Indian vehicle repossers will force more Indians into crime.

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The mostly less fortunate, less educated and the poor segment of the Indian workforce in Malaysia are largely pushed into the business of Car Repossessing as it requires token financial investments. These mostly hardworking operators have the option of being self employed and work long hours if not round the clock ie on 24 hours standby to earn a living. It is a lonely 3D job ie difficult, dangerous and dirty job but most Indian youths are forced to take up this job left with no or very little other choice to be self employed in the bi racial 1 Malay-sian government policy.

We have been receiving complaints from the Indian poor operators that the decision of the Domestic Trade Ministry imposing permits on vehicle repossers is causing further hardship on especially the thousands of Indian Car Repossessing operators nationwide.

The usual racist government policy in issuing permits and licenses and the red tape in the application and issuance of such permits will only force thousands of especially the Indian youths into crime.

As it stands, operators with criminal records (to us mostly innocent and forced to plead guilty in courts because poor and cannot afford bail and legal fees) are not allowed to engage in this business by the Domestic Trade Ministry. In any event where is the second chance for ex convicts to reintegrate into society policy announced by the government.

We do not condone the black sheep car repossers who use high handed ,bully, if not criminal ways in repossessing vehicles.

In the circumstances we ask that this Car Repossession Permit policy be withdrawn and that the government enforces strict registration, monitoring and action against car repossers by the respective Banks and Financial Institutions themselves as has been the case until recently. Rogue car repossers can be given warnings and then suspensions with no jobs given to them for one month, then a few months and finally blacklisted in very serious cases.

Kindly revert to us accordingly.

Thank you,

Yours faithfully,

…………………..

P. Uthayakumar

De facto leader, Hindraf