Hindraf leaders under detention say their families need them

Taiping (Malaysia), July 2 : The five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders held under the Internal Security Act in Malaysia have pleaded to the advisory board for their release, citing poor health and their desire to return home.

Counsel Karpal Singh, who spoke on their behalf at the six-month review of their case at Kamunting, said they should be released unconditionally as they did not pose a security threat.

"If not released unconditionally, they should at least be released with conditions, so that they can return to their families and their work, The NST Online quoted Singh, as saying.

Karpal, who is also the DAP national chairman, referred to his own experience of being released from detention in 1989 with the condition that he stayed indoors between 6 p.m. and the following morning and regularly reported to a police station.

He said the detainees seemed to be in good health except for P. Uthayakumar, who was suffering from diabetes and a heart problem.

The four others, lawyers M. Manoharan, V. Ganabatirau and R. Kengadharan and businessman K. Vasantha Kumar, told the advisory board about the hardship faced by their families due to their long absence from gainful employment.

The five men were detained on December 13, 2007 for allegedly organising an illegal rally. They were later ordered by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to serve a two-year term.

As provided under Section 13 of the Internal Security Act 1960, the advisory board at Kamunting is to review the detention order every six months by listening to detainee testimony and considering reports by Special Branch and that filed by the detention centre.

ANI