Samy: PM to consider appeal to free Hindraf 5

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will consider the appeal by MIC to release the five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders detained under the Internal Security Act, MIC president S Samy Vellu said today.

The prime minister promised to discuss the matter with Home Minister (Syed Hamid Albar) and come to a decision," he said in a statement after holding a 30-minute discussion with Abdullah at his office in Putrajaya earlier today.

Samy Vellu who was accompanied by Human Resources Minister and MIC secretary-general, Dr S Subramaniam, said the meeting with the prime minister was to seek the immediate release of the Hindraf leaders.

He said Abdullah told him that he will "study the situation and recommend appropriate action."

"We have full faith and trust in the prime minister, and we believe that he will do something (positive) on this matter," he added.

The MIC president said he explained to the prime minister why Hindraf leaders namely R Kengadharan, 41, M Manoharan, 47, V. Ganabatirau, 35, P Uthayakumar, 47, and K Vasantha Kumar, 35, should be released unconditionally.

He said his first argument was that they had been detained for almost nine months now.

'Reduce the tension'

"Some of them also need medical attention although we have been told that proper care is being given to them," he said.

He said their families have also suffered enough and that they should be allowed to return home to look after their families.

"It's about time that they are released as they pose no danger to the security of the country," he said.

Samy Vellu said by releasing them, it would "reduce the tension" within the Indian Malaysian community.

"I am also being heavily pressured by MIC leaders and members to secure their release.

"Today, I have spoken to the prime minister and I can assure the MIC members that something good will prevail," he said.

Samy Vellu also said he would raise the matter again at the next Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting.

"We will seek the backing of all the BN leaders to secure their release," he added.

The five Hindraf leaders were detained under ISA on Dec 13, after they had organised a mammoth rally which drew some 30,000 people to the streets in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25.