Prison threatens to put Uthaya in 'dark room'

Prison authorities have granted imprisoned Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar needed items to alleviate his severe back pain but have threatened to put him in a “dark room” if he complains further, says his wife S Indra Devi.

“He was given a pillow last Thursday and a chair on Monday.

“But they said if he makes any more complaints they will put him in a dark room and take away his phone rights,” she told Malaysiakini when contacted.

Indra is allowed to speak to her husband, who is in Kajang Prison, for 15 minutes every Wednesday.

Despite the items given to Uthayakumar, Indra says her husband’s prolapsed disc, a degenerative disc disease of the spinal lumbar area, has yet to be properly addressed.

“He was taken to the prison clinic but the doctor said he has no power to refer Uthayakumar to a hospital.

“Uthayakumar is getting sicker and he told me his legs are swollen now. I just want him to be taken to Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for his prolapsed disc appointment on Aug 1,” she said.

Last Sunday, Indra had expressed concern that Uthayakumar may be struck by paralysis if his prolapsed disc is not properly treated by his doctors.

Indra also complained that Uthayakumar’s notes to his lawyer for the submission of his sedition case had been confiscated.

“Those notes are very important as he needs to prepared for his sedition case,” she said.

Uthayakumar was on June 5 jailed for two years and six months for sedition over remarks on discrimination against the Indian community and sent to Kajang Prison.

Prior to this, he was also detained for one-and-a-half years under the Internal Security Act for similar reasons.

Utahayakumar’s lawyer, M Manoharan, had said that he plans to appeal the sentence.