Uthaya fails to turn up for ISA panel meeting

(The Star) TAIPING: Former ISA detainee P. Uthayakumar failed to appear before an advisory panel meeting at the Kamunting detention camp near here.

Uthayakumar, a former leader of the now outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), was conspicuously absent when his fellow Hindraf leaders M. Manoharan, T. Vasanthakumar, V. Ganabatirau and R. Kenghadharan arrived at the centre at 10:30am Tuesday.

Manoharan, also the Kota Alam Shah assemblyman, said he used this opportunity to raise his grievances before the three-member panel about his detention and the conditions set on his release.

He was shocked to learn his movements had been restricted to Klang — where his constituency was — although his home was in Bandar Kinrara and his children were schooling in Subang Jaya.

“I also wanted to voice my pain and suffering for the last 17 months; of how I was cut off from the entire world, unable to serve my constituents or see my family,” he said.

Asked on the purpose of the meeting, Manoharan said he believed it had to do with whether the conditions of his “suspended” detention order should be retained.

Speaking to reporters, he also urged the Government to abolish the Internal Security Act, close down the camp and parcel out the land to its detainees and to the hardcore poor.

Karpal Singh, the lawyer for the five men, said Uthayakumar did not tell him whether he intended to turn up at the panel meeting or defy the order from the police.

Asked what would happen to Uthayakumar for failing to appear, Karpal Singh said, “I don’t know.

“This is something new. It’s difficult to say what they (the authorities) can do,” he said.

Attempts to contact the directors of the detention centre were futile.