Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar failed to attend a meeting with the advisory panel at the Kamunting detention centre in Perak today.
Uthayakumar, when contacted today, confirmed the decision, claiming that this is within his rights under Article 5 (freedom of life and liberty) of the federal constitution.
“This is not a police state. I did not sign any conditions for my release (on May 13). I think Umno and police have to abide by the provisions of law,” said Uthayakumar, a lawyer of 18 years’ standing.
“I know that the Home Minister (Hishammuddin Hussein), who is also a lawyer, knows the provisions of law and he should not abuse his powers.”
Uthayakumar said he does not know what to expect now, but that he has been penalised enough, having been held for 17 months without trial under the Internal Security Act.
“I am prepared for the worst,” he said.
Uthaykumar also said he has seen a specialist at the Gleneagles Hospital (left).
“I went there after my blood test results were made available yesterday. The cardiac specialists suggested that I should go for regular follow-up treatment, as my diabetic condition will also affect my heart. I also did an X-ray while at the hospital,” he said.
He claimed that his blood sugar level has been high in recent days.
“This is because the camp authorities in Kamunting had refused to give me the daily dosage of three tablets to control the diabetes. The camp director tried to act as doctor and only allowed me to take two tablets daily against the doctor's orders,” he said.
He revealed that he has instructed his lawyer, N Surendran (right), to secure the release of his passport.
“Since my brother Waythamoorthy has been diagnosed with a rare heart condition, I have decided to go for a similar check-up in the United Kingdom.
“My uncle had died when he was 55 due to a heart condition and I’m afraid it could be hereditary. For this reason, I have instructed Surendran to file the application.”
Surendran, when contacted today, confirmed that he had filed an application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday, for judicial review to secure the release of Uthayakumar's passport and to reduce the RM50,000 bail imposed on him by the Sessions Court in relation to a sedition charge.
Uthayakumar has claimed trial to publishing on the Police Watch website a letter from Hindraf addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, which is alleged to contain seditious remarks.
'No arrest warrant issued'
Yesterday, deputy inspector-general of police Ismail Omar had said “necessary action” would be taken if Uthayakumar failed to show up before the advisory board.
However, police chief Musa Hassan said no arrest order has been issued and that Uthayakumar is only required to be present at Kamunting to face the advisory panel that meets every six months.
"To say we are going to arrest him is very misleading and it only creates unnecessary problems or tension among the people especially among his supporters," Musa was quoted as saying.
Waythamoorthy had called on the authorities to revoke the order to meet the advisory panel.
Failing this, he warned that Hindraf supporters throughout the country would stage fresh protests.
He pointed out that the action of the advisory body was ultra vires the federal constitution and "surely a threat for the re-arrest of Uthayakumar" and that the order is unlawful and unconstitutional.
Uthayakumar and four other Hindraf leaders were arrested in December 2007 after staging a massive street protest. All five were freed on the orders of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, after he took office last month.
Hindraf, which has been outlawed, has since called for a 100-day truce which will end in mid-July.
Waythamoorthy, who remains in London in self-imposed exile, has warned that Hindraf is prepared to revoke the truce and organise street protests if Uthayakumar is rearrested.
Uthayakumar, when contacted today, confirmed the decision, claiming that this is within his rights under Article 5 (freedom of life and liberty) of the federal constitution.“This is not a police state. I did not sign any conditions for my release (on May 13). I think Umno and police have to abide by the provisions of law,” said Uthayakumar, a lawyer of 18 years’ standing.
“I know that the Home Minister (Hishammuddin Hussein), who is also a lawyer, knows the provisions of law and he should not abuse his powers.”
Uthayakumar said he does not know what to expect now, but that he has been penalised enough, having been held for 17 months without trial under the Internal Security Act.
“I am prepared for the worst,” he said.
Uthaykumar also said he has seen a specialist at the Gleneagles Hospital (left).“I went there after my blood test results were made available yesterday. The cardiac specialists suggested that I should go for regular follow-up treatment, as my diabetic condition will also affect my heart. I also did an X-ray while at the hospital,” he said.
He claimed that his blood sugar level has been high in recent days.
“This is because the camp authorities in Kamunting had refused to give me the daily dosage of three tablets to control the diabetes. The camp director tried to act as doctor and only allowed me to take two tablets daily against the doctor's orders,” he said.
He revealed that he has instructed his lawyer, N Surendran (right), to secure the release of his passport.“Since my brother Waythamoorthy has been diagnosed with a rare heart condition, I have decided to go for a similar check-up in the United Kingdom.
“My uncle had died when he was 55 due to a heart condition and I’m afraid it could be hereditary. For this reason, I have instructed Surendran to file the application.”
Surendran, when contacted today, confirmed that he had filed an application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday, for judicial review to secure the release of Uthayakumar's passport and to reduce the RM50,000 bail imposed on him by the Sessions Court in relation to a sedition charge.
Uthayakumar has claimed trial to publishing on the Police Watch website a letter from Hindraf addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, which is alleged to contain seditious remarks.
'No arrest warrant issued'
Yesterday, deputy inspector-general of police Ismail Omar had said “necessary action” would be taken if Uthayakumar failed to show up before the advisory board.
However, police chief Musa Hassan said no arrest order has been issued and that Uthayakumar is only required to be present at Kamunting to face the advisory panel that meets every six months."To say we are going to arrest him is very misleading and it only creates unnecessary problems or tension among the people especially among his supporters," Musa was quoted as saying.
Waythamoorthy had called on the authorities to revoke the order to meet the advisory panel.
Failing this, he warned that Hindraf supporters throughout the country would stage fresh protests.
He pointed out that the action of the advisory body was ultra vires the federal constitution and "surely a threat for the re-arrest of Uthayakumar" and that the order is unlawful and unconstitutional.
Uthayakumar and four other Hindraf leaders were arrested in December 2007 after staging a massive street protest. All five were freed on the orders of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, after he took office last month.Hindraf, which has been outlawed, has since called for a 100-day truce which will end in mid-July.
Waythamoorthy, who remains in London in self-imposed exile, has warned that Hindraf is prepared to revoke the truce and organise street protests if Uthayakumar is rearrested.
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