PKR Member of Parliament for Kapar S Manikavasagam has slammed the government for trying to tarnish his image by making it seem that he was reluctant to attend the inquest of actress K Sujatha, whose death has been linked to the son of MIC president S Samy Vellu. “They are tarnishing my name as though I am the criminal,” the MP, who is also known as Mike, told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday.
“I read in the papers today that the court is going to issue an arrest warrant but they haven’t even given me the subpoena, how do they expect me to attend. “The deputy public prosecutor knew the dates of the inquest much earlier, so they could have served the subpoena much sooner, but they waited and now they want to issue an arrest warrant.
“And they know well that Parliament is in session right now. I spoke to the inspector and told him to hand me the subpoena on a weekend at home or at my office. “I have to be in Parliament today. How can he call me in the morning and within two hours expect me to cancel all my other programmes to attend the inquest?”
Among the first to insist on justice for Sujatha
The Coroner issued a warrant of arrest after Mike did not turn up to testify this morning. The warrant will compel the PKR supreme council member to attend the inquiry, which will continue on July 9 and 10. The 28-year old Sujatha had died in June 2007, four days after being admitted to a hospital for allegedly drinking weed-killer.
Mike – a well-respected Indian rights activist – was among those in the community who have accused Samy’s son Vell Paari of being involved in her death. Vell has denied the allegations. The MP has previously alleged that the doctor who treated her was related to the MIC president.
The actress, who also worked as Vell’s secretary, was taken to the Klang Hospital for treatment – about an hour’s drive away – although her apartment was just minutes from the KL General Hospital. This sparked a cascade of allegations that the choice of doctor and hospital was to enable a cover-up of the incident.
According to Mike, mortuary attendants saw cuts on her face and body and that close-circuit television footage at her apartment would show the identity of those who took her to the hospital. The PKR leader has also said that numerous individuals linked to Samy have tried to persuade him to drop the matter.
Malaysiakini
23/06/09
“I read in the papers today that the court is going to issue an arrest warrant but they haven’t even given me the subpoena, how do they expect me to attend. “The deputy public prosecutor knew the dates of the inquest much earlier, so they could have served the subpoena much sooner, but they waited and now they want to issue an arrest warrant.
“And they know well that Parliament is in session right now. I spoke to the inspector and told him to hand me the subpoena on a weekend at home or at my office. “I have to be in Parliament today. How can he call me in the morning and within two hours expect me to cancel all my other programmes to attend the inquest?”
Among the first to insist on justice for Sujatha
The Coroner issued a warrant of arrest after Mike did not turn up to testify this morning. The warrant will compel the PKR supreme council member to attend the inquiry, which will continue on July 9 and 10. The 28-year old Sujatha had died in June 2007, four days after being admitted to a hospital for allegedly drinking weed-killer.
Mike – a well-respected Indian rights activist – was among those in the community who have accused Samy’s son Vell Paari of being involved in her death. Vell has denied the allegations. The MP has previously alleged that the doctor who treated her was related to the MIC president.
The actress, who also worked as Vell’s secretary, was taken to the Klang Hospital for treatment – about an hour’s drive away – although her apartment was just minutes from the KL General Hospital. This sparked a cascade of allegations that the choice of doctor and hospital was to enable a cover-up of the incident.
According to Mike, mortuary attendants saw cuts on her face and body and that close-circuit television footage at her apartment would show the identity of those who took her to the hospital. The PKR leader has also said that numerous individuals linked to Samy have tried to persuade him to drop the matter.
Malaysiakini
23/06/09
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