Malaysian High Court orders return of Hindraf leader's passport

Kuala Lumpur, July 11 (ANI): A Malaysian High Court has ruled that passport of Hindraf leader P. Uthayakumar be returned to him, revising a Session Court's ruling made in December 2007.

The Court also lowered his bail to 10,000 ringgitts.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Zainal Azman Ab Aziz set aside the earlier order, which withheld Uthayakumar's passport and set a bail at 50,000 ringitts, the Star Online reports.

Uthayakumar, 48, was accused of publishing a seditious letter addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on a website.

Uthayakumar filed the revision application on May 18 to get his passport back so that he could seek medical treatment abroad for his heart condition.

On Friday, Judicial Commissioner Zainal Azman said the applicant was liable to a bail, as it was his first offence.

"A revision is allowed and the Sessions Court order has been set aside. The bail is lowered from 50,000 to 10,000 ringgitts. The applicant's passport is returned," he said.

Hearing for Uthayakumar's sedition trial will continue on August 3. (ANI)