Former Hindu Rights Action Force national coordinator RS Thanenthiran beams with delight on hearing the release of remaining three Hindraf leaders from detention without trial under the Internal Security Act.
Pointing out that Hindraf’s prayers and campaign have finally been answered, Thanenthiran however, suggested that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein would have gone one better if he had released all ISA detainees.
The three Hindraf men are the movement most famous face, P Uthayakumar - who is the outlawed movement legal adviser - DAP’s Kota Alam Shah state elected representative M Manoharan and T Vasanthakumar.
“God has finally heeded our call to free our leaders. I wish to thank the minister for freeing them,” Thanenthiran told Malaysiakini.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had earlier ordered the release of two other Hindraf leaders - V Ganabatirau and R Kengadharan - hours after taking office as the country’s new leader last month.
The Hindraf Five were detained in December 2007 after they had allegedly organised a mammoth anti-government rally in Kuala Lumpur.
Although he is no more a Hindraf leader, Thanenthiran nonetheless said he would continue to campaign for the release of all ISA detainees, as well as the abolition of the draconian law and the closure of Kamunting Detention Centre.
“Hishammuddin should work towards that. Indeed, he should have done it by now. He would have made history if he had released all those detained,” he said.
'The brothers started it all'
Among the Hindraf trio, Uthayakumar’s release is set to trigger a grand celebration by the Hindraf supporters across the country.
Aside from his younger brother, Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy, whose is living in self-exile in London, Uthayakumar is the most revered leader of the banned movement.
Many Hindraf supporters argue that the political tsunami which punished the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition in last year’s general election would not had happened if not for the movement’s persistent campaigns led by Waythamoorthy and Uthayakumar.
“The brothers started it all. Pakatan Rakyat capitalised and benefited from it,” claimed a Hindraf leader.
Uthayakumar’s release signals the inevitable establishment of a new Indian-based multiracial political party.
While Waythamoorthy will continue to spearhead the banned movement’s campaigns, Uthayakumar is likely to lead a Hindraf-inspired political party.
The new strategy is the main reason behind Waythamoorthy’s recent reshuffling of Hindraf local leadership, which included the resignation of Thanenthiran as the movement’s national coordinator.
Although the brothers’ attempts would naturally invite initial opposition from within, the duo are set to fill up the ‘Indian leadership vacuum’ in the opposition Pakatan political block.
Pointing out that Hindraf’s prayers and campaign have finally been answered, Thanenthiran however, suggested that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein would have gone one better if he had released all ISA detainees.The three Hindraf men are the movement most famous face, P Uthayakumar - who is the outlawed movement legal adviser - DAP’s Kota Alam Shah state elected representative M Manoharan and T Vasanthakumar.
“God has finally heeded our call to free our leaders. I wish to thank the minister for freeing them,” Thanenthiran told Malaysiakini.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had earlier ordered the release of two other Hindraf leaders - V Ganabatirau and R Kengadharan - hours after taking office as the country’s new leader last month.
The Hindraf Five were detained in December 2007 after they had allegedly organised a mammoth anti-government rally in Kuala Lumpur.
Although he is no more a Hindraf leader, Thanenthiran nonetheless said he would continue to campaign for the release of all ISA detainees, as well as the abolition of the draconian law and the closure of Kamunting Detention Centre.
“Hishammuddin should work towards that. Indeed, he should have done it by now. He would have made history if he had released all those detained,” he said.
'The brothers started it all'
Among the Hindraf trio, Uthayakumar’s release is set to trigger a grand celebration by the Hindraf supporters across the country.
Aside from his younger brother, Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy, whose is living in self-exile in London, Uthayakumar is the most revered leader of the banned movement.
Many Hindraf supporters argue that the political tsunami which punished the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition in last year’s general election would not had happened if not for the movement’s persistent campaigns led by Waythamoorthy and Uthayakumar.
“The brothers started it all. Pakatan Rakyat capitalised and benefited from it,” claimed a Hindraf leader.
Uthayakumar’s release signals the inevitable establishment of a new Indian-based multiracial political party.While Waythamoorthy will continue to spearhead the banned movement’s campaigns, Uthayakumar is likely to lead a Hindraf-inspired political party.
The new strategy is the main reason behind Waythamoorthy’s recent reshuffling of Hindraf local leadership, which included the resignation of Thanenthiran as the movement’s national coordinator.
Although the brothers’ attempts would naturally invite initial opposition from within, the duo are set to fill up the ‘Indian leadership vacuum’ in the opposition Pakatan political block.
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