Detained Hindu activist files defamation suit against M'sian govt

Singapore, Jan 4 (UNI) A Hindu rights activist who has been detained in Malaysia for seeking equal rights under the Internal Security Act (ISA) today filed a libel suit against the government for allegedly linking him to terror groups.

The 43 million Singapore dollar suit was filed in the Kuala Lumpur High Court on behalf of Mr P Uthayakumar, who is being held along with four others under the ISA, which allows detention without trial, counsel M Manogar said.

The suit also names police chief Musa Hassan and attorney general Abdul Gani Patail for their alleged remarks that Mr Uthayakumar was a threat to national security because of his links with terrorists, the Straits times quoted him as saying.

Demanding the allegations to be proved in the open court, the counsel asked whether the government has any evidence against the detained leader of rights group Hindraf.

The five activists were detained after they enraged the government on November 25 by mounting a mass rally alleging discrimination against ethnic Indians in Malaysia.

Police used tear gas, water cannon and baton charges to break up the street protest which drew 8,000 people.

The detained leaders are being held at the Kamunting detention centre in northern Perak state, some 300 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur.

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