Cops want Uthayakumar back in Kamunting
S PathmawathyPublished: May 15, 2009 11:38 AM | Updated: May 15, 2009 3:34 PM
Hindraf legal advisor P Uthayakumar's freedom from the ISA detention could be shortlived following the government's decision to review his release order.
Hindraf legal advisor P Uthayakumar's freedom from the ISA detention could be shortlived following the government's decision to review his release order.
Uthayakumar was released last Saturday, months before his two-term detention period ended.
However, today the lawyer was served a notice demanding that he appear before the detention camp's advisory board on May 19.
The notice indicated that the camp authorities were contemplating to revoke his early release.
Uthayakumar was asked to be present to submit his case to the board and was told that he could bring along a lawyer.
It was unclear why Uthayakumar's release was being reviewed by the authorities. It could be linked to his adamant refusal to submit to a number of conditions placed on his release.
Uthayakumar has snubbed the notice and will refuse to go for the meeting in Kamunting next Tuesday.
His lawyer, N Surendran, told Malaysiakini that seven police officers visited Uthayakumar at his residence in Bangsar to serve the notice.
He said that the notice required Uthayakumar to be present before the advisory council which will be reviewing his early release.
"The cops had tried to serve the order but he refused to accept it," said Surendran.
His house being monitored
Uthayakumar and two other Hindraf leaders were released from the ISA detention on May 9 after serving 18 months behind bars. Two other Hindraf leaders were released early last month.
The five Hindraf leaders were incarcerated in December 2007 after they had allegedly organised a mammoth anti-government rally which attracted some 30,000 people in Kuala Lumpur.
"Uthayakumar is a free man now... he is not obliged to attend the hearing because he is no longer under their jurisdiction of the Internal Security Act," said Surendran.
Moreover, the lawyer also stressed that as Uthayakumar has not signed anything prior to his release, therefore as provided for under the federal constitution, Uthayakumar shall not be deprived of "his life or personal liberty".
The lawyer also suspected that the condominium where Uthayakumar lives is being monitored.
"Visitors are required to log their information in a different book... it is obvious that the security guards are working under the orders from the cops," said Surendran.
"It is quite clear that there is systematic harassment by the authorities on Uthayakumar although he is free man," he said.
Uthayakumar: I'm not going to attend
Uthayakumar, when contacted, said that he did not expect the police to show up at his doorstep and reiterated that he would not be appearing before the advisory board.
"When I was released, I deemed myself to be free... that is why I insisted that I would remain in detention if I was given conditions (for my release)," he said.
"All I want from them (the government) is for them to follow the law," said Uthayakumar.
"If the government can't follow the law, how can they expect citizens to abide the law," he asked.
He now feared that the police will arrest him again if he refuses to go back to Kamunting on May 19.
According to Uthayakumar, the notice contains instructions for police to make the necessary preparations for him to appear before the board.
However, Uthayakumar said he was unsure whether the police would show up at his house on May 19 to forcibly take him to Kamunting.
The Kamunting authorities had a tough time getting Uthayakumar out of the camp on May 9 as he refused to sign the conditions attached to his release.
He was finally let go without having to sign the release documents.
Uthayakumar was released last Saturday, months before his two-term detention period ended.
However, today the lawyer was served a notice demanding that he appear before the detention camp's advisory board on May 19.The notice indicated that the camp authorities were contemplating to revoke his early release.
Uthayakumar was asked to be present to submit his case to the board and was told that he could bring along a lawyer.
It was unclear why Uthayakumar's release was being reviewed by the authorities. It could be linked to his adamant refusal to submit to a number of conditions placed on his release.
Uthayakumar has snubbed the notice and will refuse to go for the meeting in Kamunting next Tuesday.
His lawyer, N Surendran, told Malaysiakini that seven police officers visited Uthayakumar at his residence in Bangsar to serve the notice.
He said that the notice required Uthayakumar to be present before the advisory council which will be reviewing his early release.
"The cops had tried to serve the order but he refused to accept it," said Surendran.
His house being monitored
Uthayakumar and two other Hindraf leaders were released from the ISA detention on May 9 after serving 18 months behind bars. Two other Hindraf leaders were released early last month.
The five Hindraf leaders were incarcerated in December 2007 after they had allegedly organised a mammoth anti-government rally which attracted some 30,000 people in Kuala Lumpur.
"Uthayakumar is a free man now... he is not obliged to attend the hearing because he is no longer under their jurisdiction of the Internal Security Act," said Surendran.
Moreover, the lawyer also stressed that as Uthayakumar has not signed anything prior to his release, therefore as provided for under the federal constitution, Uthayakumar shall not be deprived of "his life or personal liberty".
The lawyer also suspected that the condominium where Uthayakumar lives is being monitored.
"Visitors are required to log their information in a different book... it is obvious that the security guards are working under the orders from the cops," said Surendran.
"It is quite clear that there is systematic harassment by the authorities on Uthayakumar although he is free man," he said.
Uthayakumar: I'm not going to attend
Uthayakumar, when contacted, said that he did not expect the police to show up at his doorstep and reiterated that he would not be appearing before the advisory board.
"When I was released, I deemed myself to be free... that is why I insisted that I would remain in detention if I was given conditions (for my release)," he said.
"All I want from them (the government) is for them to follow the law," said Uthayakumar.
"If the government can't follow the law, how can they expect citizens to abide the law," he asked.
He now feared that the police will arrest him again if he refuses to go back to Kamunting on May 19.
According to Uthayakumar, the notice contains instructions for police to make the necessary preparations for him to appear before the board.
However, Uthayakumar said he was unsure whether the police would show up at his house on May 19 to forcibly take him to Kamunting.
The Kamunting authorities had a tough time getting Uthayakumar out of the camp on May 9 as he refused to sign the conditions attached to his release.
He was finally let go without having to sign the release documents.
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