Malay Indian community chief Samy wants HINDRAF leaders released

Kuala Lumpur, Mar.31 : Malay Indian Congress (MIC) president S. Samy Vellu has urged the Government to release the five Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) leaders detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

He denied that his call was a publicity stunt or a move to win back Indian support for the party.

"This is done in fairness, sympathy and, also, we feel that as Indians, we have to do something about it. It is not a publicity stunt," The Star quoted him, as saying.

Samy Vellu said two of the leaders - R. Kenghadaran, 40, who is very ill and M. Manoharan, 46, who won the Kota Alam Shah state seat in Selangor on a DAP ticket on March 8, - should be freed sooner.

He said the wives of Kenghadaran and Manoharan had approached the MIC for help to get their husbands released.

He said another two, V. Ganabatirau, 34, and K. Vasantha Kumar, 34, had not been that involved in the HINDRAF rally in Kuala Lumpur on November 25 last year. The fifth detainee is P. Uthayakumar.

Speaking to reporters after opening a workshop on Rebranding the MIC here yesterday, Samy Vellu said: "I will raise it with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after he returns from Sabah.

"I will also meet Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

ANI