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Sunday, 10 May 2009

Uthaya rejects conditional release updated - malaysiakini

Uthaya rejects conditional release

At 2.55pm, Uthayakumar - the last of the Hindraf detainees - 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 8am, the prison authorities tried to force to sign the conditional release, but I refused.

hindraf isa detainee released all 090509"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 the Sri Maha Mariamal temple near the Kamunting camp for prayers. An hour later, he left for his mother's house in Seremban.

The 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 is expected to 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 two Hindraf leaders - V Ganabatirau and R Kengadharan.

The government said yesterday that it had decided to release another 13 detainees because "they no longer need to be held under ISA".

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

manoharan released from isa detention prison 090509 01Manoharan had won the state seat in 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.

His wife, S Pusphaneela, said the release of her husband would enable the state lawmaker to serve the people and she is looking forward to his return.

manoharan released from isa detention prison 090509 02"I am sure he will reconsider his decision ... (but), let it come from him," said Pushpaneela.

Manoharan arrived at his home in Bukit Kinrara, Puchong at 7pm and was immediately greeted by his daughter and two sons.

Looking thinner and frail, the state assemblyperson nevertheless was smiling from ear to ear.

IGP refuses to comment on conditions of release

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.

musa hassan pc 021107 think"We will pass the foreign detainees to the immigration to be deported to their home country," Musa said.

The remaining six Malaysians were freed on certain conditions on which Musa declined to comment.

Rights groups welcomed the release of the 13 but urged the government to free the remaining 14 people, mainly suspected Islamic militants, held under the ISA or charge them in court.

"We always believe that these detainees who were never proven guilty in any court of law should not have been detained in the first place," Abolish ISA Movement coordinator E Nalini said.

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