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Saturday 9 May 2009

Uthaya rejects conditional release - Malaysiakini

At 2.55pm, Uthayakumar appeared and held a press conference at the gate of the detention camp.

According to Uthayakumar, he had refused to agreed to the conditions of his release, which included being barred from speaking at public functions.

"From 9am, the prison authorities tried to force to sign the conditional release, but I refused.

"I have not done anything wrong, why should I sign? I want to be released without any conditions."

Eventually, the authorities allowed him to leave the camp without signing the agreement.

At 3.20pm, Uthayakumar led a group of supporters to a temple near the Kamunting camp for prayers.

He is now on his way back to Kuala Lumpur.

hindraf isa detainee r kenghadharan and v ganabatirau released 060409The Hindraf 5 were detained in December 2007 after mounting a massive street protest which saw tens of thousands of Indian Malaysians taking to the streets.

The release of the trio will remove a thorn in the side of new Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is trying to promote his reform credentials.

Hours after taking the reins in April, Najib ordered the release of 13 ISA detainees, including Hindraf leaders V Ganabatirau and R Kengadharan.

Last week, one of the three detainee Manoharan, who state assemblyperson for Kota Alam Shah in Selangor, has threatened to quit from his seat.

Manoharan had won the state seat in the last year's general election while being detained in Kamunting.

Manoharan, in his statement last week, expressed his frustration for not being able to serve his constituents physically and personally ever since he was elected as a state representative last general election.

"I am sure he will reconsider his decision ... (but), let it come from him," said his wife, Pushpaneela.

Meanwhile, police chief Musa Hassan said the five Filipinos and two Indonesians, who were also released today, will be sent back to their home countries.

"We will pass the foreign detainees to the immigration to be deported to their home country," Musa said.

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