With the exception of P Uthayakumar, the other four recently released Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders met with the advisory panel at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Perak today.

They were M Manoharan, T Vasanthakumar, V Ganabatirau and R Kenghadharan.

hindraf leaders kamunting 190509 02 Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Manoharan slammed the Home Ministry for not adhering to the recommendations of the advisory panel resulting in longer detention periods for Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees.

"I was a victim of such manipulation. The board had recommended an early release for me but the Home Ministry on the advise of the police detained me for a longer period than required.

"The advisory board that meets every six months to review the detention orders of SA detainees should not be afraid of the police and should be independent from the influence of the Home Ministry," he added.

Manoharan, who is also the Kota Alam Shah state representative, said the three-member advisory panel is appointed by the King and the board reports to him on its findings of each detainee.

In turn, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong advices the home minister to act accordingly to the board's recommendations.

"However, this procedure is not adhered to by the Home Ministry as it prefers to listen to the police rather than the board," alleged Manoharan.

Revoke the conditions

Acting as spokesperson for the other three, Manoharan called on the Home Ministry to revoke their suspended detention orders and release them without any pre-conditions.

"As it is now, we are still living under the shadow of the ISA as we can be put away again if the Home Ministry feels like it.

"However, an unconditional release with the detention orders revoked will free us from the clutches of the ministry," he said.

manoharan first visit to selangor state assembly building 110509 04 Manahoran had pointed out to the board today that as a political figure he has to freely move about to serve his constituents and attend the Selangor state assembly sitting in Shah Alam.

"So, how can the board restrict my movements with conditions attached?" he asked.

Apart from this, he told the board to revoke his detention order and set him free.

Furthermore, he said that he will not report to the board again.

Manoharan is planning to file a RM100 million defamation suit against the Home Ministry, Kamunting detention camp authorities and the federal government for wrongfully detaining him over allegations that he was linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Dismantle the camp

All the five Hindraf leaders had called for the ISA to be scrapped and the camp to be closed down.

However, Manoharan went a step further and called for the camp to be dismantled and lots be drawn to the land which should be distributed free to ISA detainees and poor people.

The four Hindraf leaders accompanied by their lawyer Karpal Singh left Kuala Lumpur in three cars at about 6am and arrived at the camp at about 10.30am.

hindraf leaders and kamunting prison Following the interview, the first to emerge was Kanghadharan at 11.50am, who did not speak to reporters as he had to rush back to Kuala Lumpur for a court case.

At 1.15pm, Karpal and the other Hindraf leaders left the camp.

Uthayakumar, Manoharan and Vasanthakumar were released on May 9 whereas Ganabatirau and Kenghadharan were freed on April 4, soon after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak took over the reins.

They were detained under the ISA on Dec 13, 2007 after staging a mammoth rally in Kuala Lumpur.

Uthayakumar, who was the only one among the five who refused to sign his conditional release papers, did not attend this morning's meeting.