Uthayakumar is mobbed by relatives, friends and supporters soon after he stepped out of the gates of the Kamunting detention centre today.
KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — The first thing P. Uthayakumar, the Hindraf founder, did after he was released today after 17 months in the Kamunting detention centre was to call his mother K. Kalaivaniy, 64, in Seremban to cook his favourite dish — mutton in thick gravy with idly to go with it.
“My mother is cooking it right now. She is crying while cooking it not from the spices but from joy that I have been freed,” Uthayakumar told The Malaysian Insider by telephone while passing through Tanjung Malim on the North-South Expressway on his way to his mother’s house.
“Freedom is incredible,” he said. “Only people who have been detained can feel the great joy on being released. The feeling overwhelms.”
His voice was firm and joyful and he cracked jokes and laughed often when answering questions.
He laughed out loud when asked whether he had any plans to join the DAP. As to joining PKR, he said it was “out of the question.”
“I am undecided about forming my own political party… but I won’t reject such an idea,” he said.
Below is the question-and-answer session with Uthayakumar.
Q: When did you first learn that you would be freed?
A: It was about 4pm yesterday. One of the detainees came and told me that he had heard in the news all three of us would be freed. I did not believe the news because I had already stopped believing I would be released.
Q: You were prepared for a long stay?
A: Yes, long before Nov 25 (the Nov 25, 2007 Indian protest in the capital) I had already steeled my mind for a long stay under ISA detention. So when I was arrested it did not shock me unlike the other Hindraf leaders. I have been arrested and thrown in lock-ups before unlike the others.
Q: How did you keep yourself sane?
A: I never let my mind wander. I read, thought, wrote and strategised. They try to confuse you, put fear into you, and make you worry about your loved ones. It is all planned to shake you and dominate you. My other colleagues were somewhat shaken. I feel sad for them.
Q: What is the single lesson you have learnt in detention?
A: Never give in to them.
Q: Has detention changed you?
A: Yes, it has only made me more determined and more resolved to continue fighting for the oppressed and marginalised Indians.
Q: Only Indians?
A: Yes, for now.
Q: Has your view of Umno changed?
A: Not one bit… Umno is still the oppressor. Umno has not changed despite all the talk of reforms. Umno is still Umno.
Q: What are your immediate plans?
A: I will take a rest, do a medical check up and enjoy my mother's love. Next Sunday (May 17) we are having a big Hindraf gathering in a temple to shave our heads as thanksgiving for our release. It is to mark the end of one phase in our struggle and the start of another.
Q: Were you required to sign a document agreeing to restrict yourself as a condition of your release?
A: Yes, they tried to force me to sign to five conditions including restricted residence and a ban from giving public speeches, among other conditions. But I refused. The whole morning the police tried to persuade me to sign but I refused. Finally they gave up and threw me out of Kamunting. I walked out last. Now, I am my own man.
(Unlike other Hindraf detainees who agreed to the conditions and are escorted to their home towns and taken to the police station for a briefing, Uthayakumar was travelling on his own with a convoy of supporters in 15 vehicles with the Special Branch following behind.)
Q: What are your political plans? Would you join PKR or DAP?
A: (Laughs uproariously…) Out of the question. I am not happy with the two parties and what they have done for the Indian community. They did not do enough in the critical areas that really matter.
Q: What are the critical areas?
A: One is land… land for Tamil schools, temples, squatters and crematoriums… they did not do much. The Pakatan ruled five states and they were masters over land but they did not do much. In Penang there are only 28 Tamil schools but nothing has been done… even with an Indian as deputy chief minister. They could have done, but have not in over one year in power. If they solved the land matter they could have solved 70 per cent of the problems of the Indian community. How can I join their political parties?
Q: You have plans to start your own party?
A: We have to discuss this matter at length. I have my plans. I need to talk with my brother (Waythamoorthy, in self-imposed exile in London) and our supporters. I have to gauge the mood on the ground before we can decide our next moves, what direction to take.
Q: Have you worked out what to do next. You had all the time in Kamunting?
A: Yes, I have a plan… all in good time.
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