2007/12/14
5 Hindraf leaders a 'threat to national
security'
By : Alang Bendahara and Marc
Lourdes
(From left) P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, M.
Manoharan, R. Kenghadharan and T. Vasantha Kumar.
Lawyer V. Ganabatirau who was detained in
Seremban being brought to Bukit Aman yesterday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Described as a threat to national security
and public order, five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders
were yesterday detained under the Internal Security
Act.
The five were lawyers P. Uthayakumar, R. Kengadharan, V.
Ganabatirau, M. Manoharan and a senior executive with Malaysia
Building Society Bhd, K. Vasantha Kumar.
The four lawyers were legal advisers for Hindraf while Vasantha
Kumar was the movement's co-ordinator.
All five were picked up in simultaneous operations in Bangsar,
Petaling Jaya, Pantai, Brickfields and Seremban between 12.30pm and
2.30pm yesterday, according to a police statement.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum said the
detention orders for the arrest of the five were signed by Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also internal
security minister, yesterday morning.
Johari said: "It was based on reports by police that the five were
a threat to national security and public order.
"This action is necessary as they have been a menace to the
public."
He said under Section 8(1) of the Internal Security Act 1960, the
five would be sent to the Kamunting detention centre in Taiping for
two years.
The five were key officials of Hindraf, which organised a rally
here on Nov 25 where some 10,000 Indians protested against alleged
racial discrimination.
There were also clashes between police and the pro-testers several
hours earlier that day when police tried to break up an illegal
gathering at the Sri Subramaniam temple in Batu Caves. The
protesters were also accused of damaging several vehicles.
Several policemen were attacked in both those incidents.
After the Nov 25 illegal assembly, there were similar gatherings at
the courts in Shah Alam, Selayang and Kuala Lumpur when the
protesters were charged with taking part in illegal
assemblies.
On Tuesday night, there was a large gathering outside the Pudu
prison when protesters demanded the release of Uthayakumar who was
arrested earlier.
Abdullah had warned that he would invoke the ISA "without feeling
guilty, without feeling sad" if Hindraf leaders and their
supporters continued with their street protests, which could lead
to racial unrest.
He had said he was aware of reports that Hindraf had been
canvassing for support and help from terrorist groups and local
gangsters.
He had also accused Hindraf of telling lies and accusing the
government of cruelty and ethnic cleansing. He was referring to the
memorandum sent by Hindraf to British Prime Minister Gordon
Brown.
The last time the ISA was used was in June 2006 when police nabbed
11 Darul Islam Sabah militants, who had allegedly helped organise
the 2002 Bali bombings.
The 11 - six Malaysians, three Indonesians and two Filipinos - who
had allegedly been smuggling firearms and ammunition into the
region were arrested in Sandakan, Tawau and Klang.
There are 74 people, mostly suspected Muslim militants, in
detention under the ISA.
The ISA, which was enacted in 1960, was initially intended to
combat the communist threat.
Detainees can be held for 60 days without legal counsel, and
preventive detention can then be renewed every two years. Most
detainees are held at the Kamunting detention centre.
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