Launch of trust fund for the 5 ISA detainees Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf)

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Speech at St. John’s Hall forum
by M.Kula Segaran
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(Ipoh, Thursday): Yesterday at a meeting between the DAP lawyers and the 5 Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) ISA detainees held in Kamunting, it was decided that a trust fund be established and managed by the DAP Malaysia, Headquarters in KL.

The primary purposes of the fund is to cover all legal expanses incurred in fighting to free the five - P. Uthayakumar,V. Ganabatirau, M.Manoharan, R.Kenghadharan, and T.Vasanthakumar - and other incidentals costs. Any balance in the fund would be used for the support of the families of the 5 detainees.

During our conversation with the detainees at Kamunting we were informed all 5 detainees are the main breadwinners of their respective families.

With their detention all 5 would suffer financial hardship because of their continued detention.

Concerned Malaysians can assist to lessen their financial burden by making monetary contribution of any amount within their means. Monies can be deposited directly into Maybank a/c 514178145866 in the name of Democratic Action Party.

We have also formed a support group for the families of the 5 at the Kamunting center. The support group is presently co-ordinate by Sdr. A. Sivasensan as all the 5 families are in Kuala Lumpur.

The DAP lawyers are all fully committed in the endeavor to get all the 5 released as soon as possible.

We - A. Sivanesan, Gobind Singh, K.A. Ramu and I visited the 5 detainees at the Kamunting camp in Taiping.

All 5 detainees said they are not involved with the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka. All 5 have also never been to Sri Lanka and they have no connection what so ever with the Tamil Tiger organization.

Mr. P.Uthayakumar further told us that the authorities only publicly said HINDRAF has connection with the Tamil Tigers about 12 days after the Nov 25 protest. The 5 said the charges against them are all false and fabricated and baseless. Hindraf an unregistered organization was also said to be threatening national security.

Through out the country Indians are offering prayers in Temples for the release of the detainees. The 5 detainees have told us to inform the Malaysian public to continue these prayers and they are very grateful.

This ISA draconian law is unfair to the detainees because you are jailed without charge or trial.

Further the 2 year period can be renewed indefinitely.

All 5 will also suffer irreparable financial loss as a result of the unlawful detention and finally they are emotionally deprived because they are separated from their loved ones for a long period.

(20/12/2007)