KUALA LUMPUR: An ethnic Indian leader detained under a draconian security law has been allowed by the Malaysian authorities to attend the funeral of a relative.
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) coordinator K Vasantha Kumar is being held under the tough Internal Security Act along with four other Indian activists for organising a massive rally here in November last year to protest alleged marginalisation of the community in the multi-racial country.
Kumar was brought to the funeral of his uncle V Sekanathan at Taman Mewah after the detainee's wife K Vickneswary sent a request to the authorities, the Star newspaper reported today.
Detention centre guards who escorted Kumar removed his handcuffs so that he could place flowers on the coffin. A teary-eyed Kumar also hugged his 60-year-old mother.
"I would like to thank the authorities for allowing him to come," she said.
Relatives and a small group of supporters had gathered to greet him.
Vickneswary said the family had been waiting for his arrival since morning. "He wanted to pay his last respects to his uncle, who was like a father figure to him." Kumar is currently held at the detention centre with fellow Hindraf leaders P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, V Ganabatirau and R Kenghadaran.
KeralaNext
07/06/08
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