Samy says ISA release shows it is time to move on but Waytha says no

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 – While MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu says the impending release of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees would allow Malaysians to move on, self-exiled Hindraf leader P. Waythamoorthy says it is a “blatantly obvious move to divert the attention of the public” from the Perak fiasco.

Waythamoorthy, who is the brother of one of the soon to be released P. Uthayakumar, said there was nothing Hindraf should be thankful for.

“We are not thankful for the release of our lawyers under the ISA unless the government fulfills the 18 point demands that were submitted to the government in 2007,” he said in a statement from London.

He also wants the government to acknowledge the alleged poor treatment received by the Indian community in this country and release not just the Hindraf trio, but all ISA detainees and abolish the law.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein today said that three Hindraf leaders along with 10 other detainees would be released in a few days, amid speculation that the move was politically motivated.

The three Hindraf leaders are P. Uthayakumar, T. Vasanthakumar and Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M. Manoharan. Two others were among 13 ISA detainees freed when Datuk Seri Najib Razak became prime minister on April 3.

Apart from the three Hindraf leaders freed, the others are three Malaysians, two Indonesians and five Filipinos.

In a separate statement, Samy Vellu commended the government for showing concern and great humility by releasing the 13 ISA detainees, including three Hindraf leaders.

He said their release from ISA detention, especially the three Hindraf leaders, would also bring an end to an episode that has created dissatisfaction among the Indian community.

“We can now move on and concentrate on more pressing matters to bring progress and development to the people,” he said.