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Posts Tagged ‘Uthaya’

Kuhan mother waiting for 9 months

September 26th, 2009

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I wonder how many of us still remember the Kuhan case. Today the mother went to the palace to submit memorandum along with MP Kapar Manikavasagam and MP Puchong Gobind Singh. She had been waiting for the criminals to be bought to court, but no news. I remember the AG office asking the police to do further investigation. Not sure what happened after that. Also, the recent case involving samples taken from Kuhan’s body being taken away from police also hit the papers. The court ruled that the police must not destroy or tamper with the samples, I think. Below is the news from MK:

Following massive public outcry accusing the police of foul play, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail reclassified the case as murder and a day later 11 officers from the Taipan police station were moved and put on desk duty.

Moreover, in April the police had seized Kugan’s blood and tissue samples, documents and even the second pathologist handwritten notes from the University Malaya Medical Centre’s Pathology Department.

Currently, the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) is probing Dr. Karim Tajuddin’s professional conduct in relation to the cause of Kugan’s death in the first post-mortem report.

“Until now nobody has been arrested and nobody has been charged… on top of that the police have seized the samples,” lamented Surendran

Anyway, the attempt to pass the memorandum failed. Only 20 people or so turned up, mainly family members, politicians, HRP’s Uthaya and HINDRAF supporters. The police did not allow all of them to enter into palace compound to hand in the memo to a palace aide, but allowed only 3 people. The whole group wanted to go in, and so the police refused entry. More reports from MK:

Some 20 people, including the deceased family members and supporters led by members of parliament Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) and S Manikavasagam (PKR-Kapar) left the palace at 11.30am dejected.

“The family members alone consist of three people… what about their lawyer and the MPs accompanying the family? We too want to meet the palace officials when the petition is submitted,” said Gobind.

Also present were supporters of the banned Hindu Right Action Force (Hindraf) and newly-formed Human Right Party (HRP) members lead by its secretary-general P Uthayakumar.

Kugan’s mother N Indra, his sister S Garthiyaini and brothers Iswara and Shargunan were also present.

Distraught by the police’ refusal to let all of them to submit their petition, Indra broke in tears as her lawyer N Surendran and the parliamentarians tried to negotiate with the police.

She could hardly say much apart from demanding that justice be served and punishment meted out against her son’s murderers.

Gobind said he could not understand the “logic” of the police’s refusal to allow more people to meet the palace officials.

“Firstly, it was not our intention to go into the palace, it was our intention to hand over the petition to the palace officials outside,” said Gobind.

“We were there as a peaceful group, it was not our intention to create a ruckus… but the police did not seem to understand this,” he said.

He also demanded that attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail to come forward and explain why nothing has been done in the past eight months.

“He (Abdul Gani) is duty-bound to explain to the public… I also ask why isn’t the prime minister showing similar concern in this case as he did in the case of political aide Teoh Being Hock, who was found dead at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Shah Alam,” quizzed Gobind.

“The entire country cannot understand why the silence on the part of the AG, who had already classified it (Kugan’s case) as a murder,” asked Gobind.

Uthayakumar added that Kugan’s death was just the “tip of the iceberg” on deaths in police custody.

“The behaviour of the Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid is not exemplary to the prime minister’s call for One Malaysia,” said Uthayakumar.

“While the government is saying the country will be more liberal by reviewing the Internal Security Act and Police Act, the implementation at ground level is not consistence,” he said.

When approached by reporters Abdul Bari described the group as being unreasonable because they had initially agreed to a delegation comprising three people.

“However, despite the palace allowing up to five people to meet them, the whole group insisted on going in,” Abdul Bari said.

… The number of police officers, including Light Strike Force personnel, exceeded the number of the supporters gathered at the palace gates this morning.

“This again reflects the draconian manner in which the police are prepared to act in cases where they are alleged to be the suspects,” blasted Gobind.

Gobind said further that the police should not have impeded their programme as their petition was against the lackadaisical attitude in the enforcement authorities.

“The police ought not to have interfered today because the complaint we are raising is squarely against them so it is difficult to understand how they can be independent in this circumstance,” he said.

“The home minister should explain why a group of Malaysians in small numbers cannot handover a memorandum to their king… everyday you see tourists and foreigners taking photographs at the gates of the palace but the rakyat have to face a barricade of police officers to give a letter to king,” he lamented.

“We make very clear we will not stop here and we will return soon… we sincerely hope that we will be allowed to hand over the petition next time without any interference,” said Gobind, adding that he would be raising the matter in Parliament when it resume sitting on Oct 19.

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Tags: discrimination Police Politicians Protest Uthaya

uthaya has a plan…

May 12th, 2009

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I’m not too fond of words of hype like landmark, great, spectacular, grand, awesome (popular in MLM), etc because it usually turns out disappointing. In his interview with AP, Uthaya hinted that there’s something up his sleeve. Is it a new party? He won’t join another party. Is it a think thank or NGO? Its worth 50 pages, so keep ya fingers crossed.

Most importantly, he says there won’t be street protest like the mammoth one on 25/11.

Hindraf leader P. Uthayakumar, who spent 17 months in ISA detention for leading a massive anti-government protest, promised Tuesday his group won’t go back to the streets to fight for Indian minority rights in Malaysia.

“Armed struggle is out of the question,” Uthayakumar told The Associated Press in his first interview after being freed from jail on Saturday.

But he vowed to carry on his struggle through a “landmark plan” he had crafted in prison, which he said would force the government to address the grievances of Indians, including lack of jobs, poor living conditions, decrepit schools and greater religious freedom.

He refused to elaborate on the plan, except to say it was a strategic 50-page proposal that involved “social” solutions. He said he would reveal it in four to six weeks.

It would make “not only the government (but) also the opposition” work for the Indian community, he said.

“With this plan we will become a force to be reckoned with. It does not involve street demonstrations, definitely not.”

“It is a legal, constitutional, democratic and peaceful plan,” he said. He also refused to say if he plans to start a political party, but rejected joining any party.

…”Nov 25 was a shocker to me. The balloon burst, the banks burst, the seams burst. They (the Indians) said enough is enough,” Uthayakumar said.

… Sporting a ragged beard and unkempt, tangled hair, Uthayakumar, 48, said he had no regrets about spending time in prison, which he said had provided him the opportunity to reflect, read and write.

A lawyer by training and profession, Uthayakumar said that before going to prison he could not have imagined a life without cable TV, air conditioning, hot water showers, cell-phones and holidays.

But prison made him realise that “you don’t need the luxuries. You can live without it,” he said, adding his possessions were a one-inch foam mattress, a pillow, a blanket and a toothbrush.

He shared a dormitory at the Kamunting detention centre with two other Hindraf detainees.

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Tags: Hindraf Uthaya

Uthaya and gang released

May 10th, 2009

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This guy got guts. We have to admit that. I never heard of any ISA detainee being released on their own terms. But this fella is a real thorn in the backside for them. Even in the last day, he really embarassed the police and Home Minister by REFUSING to sign the conditional release papers. The announcement to release was already made by Hishamuddin, so what to do? They could have kept him detained, citing some “paper work” problem. Yet he was released. Why ah?

Anyway, it is a great news for the Indian community, especially on the auspicious day of Chittirai Pournami to have a braveheart to be released. The Indians who are not-so-Indians will have different opinions, but each to his own.

There was a convoy or car who were meeting up with him at Tanjung Malim. Heard that more than 100 cars accompanied him to his house in Seremban.

Below is statements by Uthaya from Malaysiakini:

P Uthayakumar, the last of the five Hindraf leaders to be released today, claimed that he was thrown out of the Kamunting Detention Camp after he refused to give in to pressures from the prison authorities to sign the conditional release papers in exchange for his freedom.

MCPX

Recollecting the events that transpired inside the Kamunting prison before he was freed this afternoon, Uthayakumar said the prison officials had dragged him out of the camp and thrown him into the prison van following his repeated refusal to sign the conditional papers.

“I stressed that there must be no conditional release. Otherwise, I would continue to stay here,” he told journalists and about 100 Hindraf supporters at the gate of the Kamunting Detention Camp, Perak, where he was held for 18 months under ISA detention.

According to him, his ordeal started at 8am when prison officials came to his cell and told him to get ready for his release in the afternoon.

He told the prison officers that he was ready to leave only if there were no preset conditions to his release.

Subsequently, Uthayakumar refused to listen to the various requests by the prison authorities to agree to his conditional freedom.

Uthayakumar also claimed that he was tricked into seeing the prison director who said the he could sign a release order instead of the conditional papers.

“However, when I got into his office, the director gave me the conditional release papers (to sign). Again, I refused.”

The Hindraf leader said when an officer read out the clauses of his conditional release papers, he closed both his ears with his hands.

“After that, a guy forcibly took me out of the office and threw me into a prison van,” said Uthayakumar.

In the melee, Uthayakumar said he hurt his right leg, near his damaged toe for which he had earlier sought treatment while in detention.

It is learnt that the release of the other Hindraf leaders today are subject to a number of conditions, including being barred from speaking at public functions.

‘I’m wearing the same blue pants’

Uthayakumar said he feared that he could be forced to sign the conditional release papers before he even reaches home today.

“I was told that Special Branch (officers) are waiting for me to take me to Brickfields police station to sign the papers. But I will not bow to this,” he said.

“If they force me, I will not do it as I prefer going back to Kamunting prison,” he vowed.

Uthayakumar also said he was grateful for the support given by his family members, supporters and friends who had campaigned relentlessly for his release from the camp.

However, he refused to express gratitude to the government for freeing him after “514 days behind bars”.

“I won’t thank the government because I should have been brought to court in the first place and given a fair trial. But this procedure was not followed,” said Uthayakumar, who appeared haggard.

Uthayakumar and his family later went to Sri Maha Mariamal temple near Kamunting for prayers where he gave another speech to about 100 people who had gathered there.

The lawyer, who has not combed his hair nor shaved his beard since the day of his arrest on Dec 13, 2007, conceded that he may “look like a mad man”.

“Since Day One, I have grown this beard and hair, and I vowed never to shave it off (until his release).

“And these are the same blue pants that I have been wearing ever since,” he added, showing his shabby prison trousers.

Nevertheless, he said the detention had made him wiser and gave him inner strength to meet new challenges ahead and he has a few ideas on improving the livelihood of the Indian community.

At about 4.30pm, Uthayakumar along with his family left Kamunting for his mother’s house in Seremban.

Along his journey south, he made a number of pit stops where he gave impromtu speeches. He reached Rawang in Selangor at 7.40pm, followed by a convoy of about 30 cars.

At 8.50pm, a crowd of 100 Hindraf supporters, equipped with drums, were at the Labu toll in Seremban waiting for Uthayakumar’s arrival.

He arrived at his hometown to a hero’s welcome at 9.15pm. He was greeted with fireworks and an escort of about 100 cars. The Hindraf leader gave a short speech amid shouts of Makkal Sakthi.

Meanwhile, ADUN for Kota Alam Shah, YB Manoharan relates his story:

For some, 13 is considered an unlucky number but for former Internal Security Act detainee M Manoharan, it is the sacred number 13 that have given him the good, the bad, and the ugly highlights of his life.

MCPX

Today, the Kota Alam Shah state representative is finally back in the arms of his family after serving 513 days in Kamunting prison since Dec 13, 2007.

Now that those long detention days have passed, the lawyer who was born on Sept 13, 1961 and is the 13th Selangor DAP assemblyperson is set to continue with his life and job.

The father of three also couldn’t be happier and sees his return as a gift to his mother and his wife for tomorrow’s Mother’s Day celebration.

Manoharan, who arrived at his place in Bukit Kinrara, Puchong at around 7pm with an escort car was greeted by his three children who were beaming with smiles and shouting “Papa! Papa!” on top of their lungs.

However, he was not accompanied by his wife S Pushpaneela who had been waiting anxiously for his return at the Klang police station.

Little did he know he would be brought back by the police through the station’s backdoor and the wife was waiting for him out at the front gate.

However, both husband and wife were later reunited at their home about half an hour later.

Speaking at a press conference later, the practising lawyer said that her mother’s prayer “has been answered”.

“She also told me that I should not come out alone and asked me to come back (with other Hindraf leaders) together. I am thankful that we all were released together today,” he said to her mother N Letchumy, 70, who was sitting next to him.

He was also flanked by his three children, 12-year-old twins Hariharan and Shivaranjini, and 10-year-old Ganendra.

Manoharan is among two other Hindraf leaders who were released today at Kamunting including P Uthayakumar and T Vasanthakumar.

Staying on as Kota Alam Shah representative

Describing as the past 18 months in detention as “miserable”, Manoharan however promised that he will not give up his struggle as the “Malaysian Indians urgently need help”.

Soft-spoken and quiet since he was a little boy, Manoharan said there would be no way he could be seen as a terrorist as he would “never lift a stick to hit anybody”.

“I am not a terrorist. So please show respect to the Indians. But most important of all, there will be no need for me to resign as the Kota Alam Shah representative,” he said.

Now that he has been released, he would immediately get to work and give his best to serve his constituents.

“I will make sure Kota Alam Shah residents have the best from me because they have lost 14 months of my service and my presence and voice in the Selangor state assembly,” he said.

Manoharan further noted that his intended resignation last Saturday could have “expedited” today’s release and did not rule out the possibility that the government would want to avoid another by-election.

Besides, he said, if a by-election were held following his resignation, “it would be the first seat that BN would lose its deposit” judging from the previous strong majority he had garnered in the last general election.

“And it would be pitiful for the BN. But unfortunately or fortunately, that will not happen because I am not resigning and I’m released and I will get down to work. I am not given the opportunity to serve the public which I have always wanted to do,” he said.

Manoharan, who was composed and high spirited throughout the press conference also praised his father MS Malayalan, 70, for shaping him to be a good leader – but only different political views set them apart.

“My father has served the public throughout his year as a politician … but he’s an MIC man and still a branch leader and recently elected as a delegate … but I was born to be an opposition member from the beginning,” said Manoharan, flashing a smile to his father.

Will comply with conditions

Despite the conditional release imposed upon the 48-year-old politician, Manoharan however remained positive and vowed to comply with all the six conditions given by the Home Ministry.

According to him, he was “happy and enlightened” with all the six conditions as they fit his category as a state representative.

“I am very happy with the conditions set by the home minister who seems to know that I live to serve my constituents and I will comply with these conditions,” he said.

The conditions, according to him are:

(1) Have to live in a Klang area – which is in the area of IPK Klang.

(2) Not allowed to move to other places without written permission of state police chief.

(3) Not allowed to leave Klang without written permission of state police chief.

(4) Have to constantly inform the police of his whereabouts.

(5) Have to report to the police every Monday until Dec 13, 2009.

(6) Maintain peace and stability in the country.

However, Manoharan said that the hardest task he needs to take up would be rebuilding his life all over again as a lawyer now that he had lost his practice firm in Kuala Lumpur as he and the family needed to move to Klang in two weeks time.

“My detention has been miserable … I had a very good law practice and the practice is gone. I have to start all over again and start afresh. My family got into serious financial difficulties but I would like to thank all who donated towards my family.

“Without their donations, I couldn’t imagine how they would survive. It was not easy without me as the sole breadwinner. I have lost 15kg, I have suffered enough. I missed my children. No father should go through this form of suffering in the future,” he said.

There are no statements from Vasanthakumar so far.

MIC, Murugiah of PPP, MHS, MHC, etc offered thanks to the PM for the release of the detainees.

The dust has not even settled, and the rumour mill has started – Uthaya may start a political party. Here we go again! 🙂

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Posted in Indian

Tags: Hindraf ISA Politicians Uthaya

Uthaya, Vasantha and Manoharan to be released from ISA

May 8th, 2009

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The good news was announced by Home Minister Hishamuddin. The three HINDRAF leaders are among the 13 detainees who would be released soon, in two or three days time, said Hishamuddin.

In the specially arranged press conference, Hishammuddin said that they would be released in the next “two or three days”.

“I will be signing the (release) papers now,” he said.

He did not give the reasons for the release of the 13 but added that they “no longer needed to be held”.

So, that would put to an end the court cases filed by the detainees, but the sedition case against Uthaya will be taking place. If convicted, he will be jailed.

This means Manoharan won’t quit his assemblyman post, and the Free Manoharan campaign can be stopped.

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Tags: Hindraf Home Ministry ISA Politicians Uthaya

Uthaya 500 days in ISA

April 26th, 2009

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Letter from Uthayakumar on the 500th day of his detention (published in Malaysiakini). Few points interest me:

1. I didn’t know he has children.

2. He clarifies he is not a Mahatma Gandhi or Mandela.

3. He asks the makkal to vote against UMNO/BN in 2013.

4. His foot has healed (?)

The gist of the letter is similar to his earlier messages, so I won’t elaborate on that. Its a reminder to the makkal: DON’T FORGET.

My 500th day under ISA
P Uthayakumar | Apr 26, 09 7:55am
Today April 26, 2009, marks my 500th day under Umno’s captivity without being charged, tried or found guilty in a court of law. I suppose this is ‘justice’ for me, an Indian ethnic minority and human rights lawyer of 18 years.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s continued unilateral decree is that I be made to serve a jail sentence of two years and indefinitely thereafter under his regime. There are prisoners here at Kemta Kamunting, Taiping, serving their eighth year of their ISA sentences.

But I have no regrets. I know in my heart that every day of my imprisonment will liberate and open up a thousand new minds against Umno’s atrocities and injustices in their marginalisation, discrimination, suppression, oppression and the exclusion of Indians from the mainstream of national development in Malaysia.

Today, I have grown 500 days older. Today, I have lost 500 days of my precious freedom. Today, it is 500 days since I shaved my beard or combed my hair to protest my ISA detention. Today, it is 500 days since I have been made to wear the very same two pairs of dark blue baggy pants and white restaurant waiter-like prison uniform.

My left foot

On Jan 31, 2009, I had accidently injured the last toe of my left foot, which had gotten worse because of my long standing diabetic condition. From day one of my injury, I had repeatedly asked to be treated at the Gleneagles private hospital as I no longer have confidence in the independence of government-service doctors, which I believe had been compromised by the Home Ministry and its Special Branch police officers.

Under protest, I agreed to be treated at a government hospital on Feb 3, 2009. As I had anticipated, the doctor refused to admit me despite my swollen leg and blackening left foot condition. The doctor told me there were no hospital beds and neither did she want to refer me to an orthopedic surgeon or a consultant physician, as well as a cardiologist to treat my silent heart attack during my ISA detention.

No cast was put on my leg. No medication was prescribed. This doctor told me that my leg would heal on its own. My suspicion was confirmed when the doctor, who had written my medical notes in a police file, gave it back to the police officers accompanying me.

By the second week, my leg got even worse and despite repeated pleas, the prison authorities refused to take me even to a government hospital, which I agreed to go under protest. I had lodged four police reports but again zero action was taken. Even my statement was not recorded.

The worst case scenario ran across my mind. I may lose my left foot. For the first time, I realised that as a lawyer, I could not even save myself. There was nothing I could do, I was a prisoner.

But even then, I had thought to myself that should the worst happen, I would put on a prosthesis (artificial leg) and keep walking. I feel that at the end of the day, it was the prayers held at scores of Hindu temples nationwide by supporters of Makkal Sakthi that had actually saved my leg and ensure my well-being in prison.

Surviving on bread and biscuits

On March 22, 2009, I found pieces of beef in the chicken sambal served to me. Mohamad, a Pakistani national, and Abdul Sarjon, a Sri Lankan national, and fellow detainees who worked at the prison kitchen confirmed that chicken and beef were cooked in the same pot after which the chicken was scooped out and served.

I immediately lodged a police report. But again nothing happened as usual. But had it been the other way round – the victimisation a Malay Muslim – a different set of rules would be applied by Umno.

But I suppose this is all part and parcel of PM Najib’s One Malaysia policy. One Malaysia, two systems. Since that day, I have refused to consume cooked food from the prison kitchen in protest against the violation of my religious rights in contravention of Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. As a Hindu, I do not consume beef. I am now surviving basically on bread and biscuits.

Throughout these 500 days, there was never a single day that I ever regretted starting and spearheading this struggle. I believed in justice, including for the minority ethnic Indians, in Malaysia.

In these 500 days, I have refused to meet any of the Special Branch officers who came to meet detainees once in every two to three months to “plead for my release”. I have done no wrong and I am not prepared to beg for my freedom. I had earlier also refused to meet Umno’s home minister, knowing fully well that my release from prison is in his hands, for the very same reason.

My biggest satisfaction and what keeps me going in prison is the true and sincere spirit of the struggle through Hindraf’s Makkal Sakthi.

It moved me to see thousands of Hindraf supporters who had braved FRU’s tear gas and water cannons, who were roughed up and beaten by the police, arrested, handcuffed, thrown into jail, prosecuted in court and bravely standing up in the dock to face possible jail sentences, losing their jobs, and with their wife and children suffering.

All these sacrifices, just for a public cause to put to an end to Umno’s racism, religious extremism and exclusion of the Indians from the mainstream of national development. To all of you, I salute you and I am proud of you. Makkal Sakthi Valga.

I miss my freedom

I am suffering from this imprisonment daily. I miss my freedom. I miss my family, my wife and children.

But I am prepared for the worst, even if it means another 500 days or more of imprisonment. I will do this just for the cause of Hindraf. Umno can imprison me but they cannot imprison the forces of Hindraf’s Makkal Sakthi.

Makkal Sakthi was the tipping point in the March 8, 2008 general elections. It was the triggering factor which resulted in Umno/BN losing two-thirds majority in Parliament as well as political power in four west-coast states.

Makkal Sakthi once again showed its prowess at the Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections. I never, even in my wildest dream, thought I would see Makkal Sakthi forces to this extent in my lifetime.

I am no Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela, but Umno has to understand and accept that it was the genuine grievances of the people – the pent-up pain and suffering, misery and heartache – that brought about the unprecedented 100,000-strong Hindraf rally on Nov 25, 2007.

Please be patient. Umno will not change, but we will change Umno in the 2012/2013 general elections. We will put an end to Umno’s bully tactics and its rule by fear. We have waited 52 long years.

Please be patient. In another three or four years, there would hopefully be a new beginning, a new political structure and a Malaysia with equality and equal opportunities, including for the Indians. A Malaysia where the Indians would be a part of the mainstream in national development.

Every day and every moment of my imprisonment, my thoughts and prayers are with Makkal Sakthi. I have plans for our further struggle. Please pray for my freedom, and for Umno’s end of its rule so that justice will finally prevail.

Umno may have punished me with this 500 days of imprisonment but you, the Makkal Sakthi, will in turn punished Umno/BN where it hurts them most – the ballot box.

God bless.

P Uthayakumar
Kamunting Detention Camp, Perak