10 months under detention can start to show the cracks. Dr M Kalaivani and B Buvaneswary, the wives of K Kenghadharan and V Ganabatirau, respectively, have held a press statement (organised by who?) last weekend. The full report from Malaysiakini is below.

ISA detainees’ wives: Hindraf has changed
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz | Sep 26, 08 7:53pm
The struggle of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) is different now compared to when it started some 10 months ago under the leadership of the five who are currently under Internal Security Act (ISA) detention, said the wives of two leaders today.

Dr M Kalaivani and B Buvaneswary, the wives of K Kenghadharan and V Ganabatirau, respectively, said they were not comfortable with the direction in which the movement has taken.

Speaking at a press conference in Kelana Jaya, Kalaivani said aside from the goal of obtaining the release of the Hindraf leaders, what is of utmost importance is that the Indian community’s problems are alleviated.

Both these goals can be affected without rallies planned by those now coordinating Hindraf activities.

On the contrary, they said the rallies may actually serve to harm the chances of the five’s release.

“What I know from my husband, the struggle was different in the beginning and it seems to have taken a different turn at the present moment. I was not involved in Hindraf at all so I cannot comment on what their principles were,” said Kalaivani.

“(But) from what we see in the present leadership, we’re not very comfortable with it,” she added.

Citing plans by Hindraf to gather 10,000 people at Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s Hari Raya open house later next month, she said this would serve as a form of ‘intimidation’ rather than anything else.

Asked if her husband insisted on supporting the movement along such lines in the even he is released, Kalaivani said she would not support him.

“I feel that there are a lot of ways to help the community. You would have to ask my husband, but … I would not support him if this is how the struggle is going to be.

“I personally feel there is a lot of other ways to continue helping the community, and this we would definitely do.

“If fact, I might even join him to do it together (if he chooses other means of helping the Indian community),” she said.

During the press conference, the wives also recorded their appreciation for MIC president S Samy Vellu and other quarters who are pushing for the five’s release.

Commenting on the statements by certain quarters who questioned the “integrity and sincerity” of Samy Vellu in declaring he had met with Abdullah and sought the release of the Hindraf leaders, Kalaivani said her family’s only wish was to see her husband’s return.

“I’m sure it’s the same for the other detainees as well and we sincerely hope that no individuals would continue questioning the integrity of any leaders or individuals from any party or question why they are asking for the release of our husbands.

“We appreciate the efforts taken by anybody to secure the release of our husbands, and we sincerely hope that the prime minister, the Deputy Prime Minister (Najib Abdul Razak) and the Home Minister (Syed Hamid Albar) would seriously consider their release very soon,” she said.

Kalaivani said her husband was being treated well and was provided with the necessary medical attention at the Kamunting Detention Centre.

“We would like to thank the government for having looked after my husband well. He has not had any problems with medication so far, and I’m thankful for that,” she added.

Commenting on the anti-ISA vigil planned for tomorrow night, she said as long as the organisers have obtained the required permits to ensure the gathering is legal, she appreciates the effort of all quarters to highlight the plight of her husband and other Hindraf leaders.

“If they are going to do it legally, if they’ve got a permit, I really appreciate the efforts taken by these individuals. The vigil will be peaceful, so I don’t think there is anything wrong with it – as long as they do it legally,” she said.

Echoing her statements, Buvaneswary said she too disagreed with the planned gathering at Abdullah’s Hari Raya open house as it may be detrimental to her husband’s chances of being released.

Contending that the rallies organised after the detention of the Hindraf five had deviated into becoming ‘anti-government’ rallies, Buvaneswary said they were defeating the purpose of highlighting the problems of the Indian community.

She said her husband had also told her to call for an end to such rallies.

“Who are these people to call for rallies? If our husbands wanted these rallies, their wish would be conveyed through us because we are their wives. What are the Hindraf coordinators trying to do now?”

“If you want the Hindraf five to be released, there are other methods of seeking this,” she added.

In another development, one of the five detainees T Vasantha Kumar said the government has not given serious consideration to the detention of the five leaders.

“It’s been almost 10 months since the arrests and yet, there is inaction on the part of the government, despite the anger within the Indian community,” he said in a statement, released to the media by his wife K Vickneswary.

“Letters of appeal from various political parties and NGO’s have also been ignored. This is a reflection of the current ruling party’s attitude towards Malaysian Indians whom they do not consider to be an important part of the nation,” he added.   

Vasantha Kumar said the five Hindraf leaders are innocent of all charges and should be released.

“Their detention under the ISA is an abuse of government power, used solely for political purposes and not for national security, as it should be. There is no need for ISA in a democratic country like Malaysia,” he added.

Charles Hector wrote on his blog analysing the comments by the wives of the detainees.

My take is simple. Its not about what’s happening outside of KEMTA, but what’s happening in the heads of the detainees. People can shout all they like, but as long as the detainee don’t repent, he won’t leave the prison. So, the wives have to persuade their husbands to “repent” and soon, they will be freed. The detainees have to admit that they made a mistake, that they were wrong, and even perhaps have to provide evidence against their friends. They have show remorse, subscribe to the ideology thrust upon them, and repent. If indeed they committed any crime, they may have to serve time in prison, and then they will be out. Agree to all they say. Sign whatever they want. Admit to all the accusations. Whatever it takes to get out. You may lose respect and integrity, but at least you get freedom and can join your family again. Start a new life. Simple.

So, the wives can save their press conferences and try to work on other alternatives like pressure their husbands to give up.

By the way, its interesting to note that among the 5 detainees, one is branded a plant, while another two’s wives are questioning Hindraf. Uthaya is unmarried, while Manoharan is a state assemblyman for DAP in Selangor, with his wife effectively holding the fort. The age of the first three is between 35 and 41, while the latter two are 47.