By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : A Malaysian Indian leader detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) has again filed an application seeking his release on the grounds that he has been denied medical attention for his diabetic and heart problems.
N. Surendran, counsel for Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P. Uthayakumar, filed the writ of habeas corpus at the High Court Registry here Thursday, the Star newspaper reported.
Uthayakumar is one of the five Hindraf leaders being detained at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping after the group staged a protest rally last November, alleging discrimination against the over two million Tamil Hindu settlers.
Uthayakumar named Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar and commandant of the detention camp as respondents.
This is Uthayakumar’s second habeas corpus application seeking his release. His first, filed Dec 26 last year, was dismissed by the high court Feb 29 along with the applications of the other four.
While they claimed that their detention was unlawful, the Federal Court upheld the high court’s decision May 14.
In his affidavit supporting his application, affirmed by Uthayakumar himself, the 46-year-old said he had been denied his medication for diabetes between mid-February and April 6.
Prior to that, Uthayakumar was taking medicines that were given to him by his fiancee, S. Indradevi.
Uthayakumar also claimed that he had been denied the diabetic diet he requested. Instead, he was given rice and curry, which was sweet.
This, he said, had caused him to suffer high blood sugar levels, weakness and dizziness, high blood pressure, skin disease and blurring of vision. He has also lost five kilos since his arrest, the affidavit said.