Press Statement by Karpal Singh in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 17^th April 2008: 

Uthayakumar should be hospitalised  

ISA detainee, P Uthayakumar should be immediately sent to the General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur or University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur for treatment for diabetes. His mother, K Kalaivaniy, a 66 year old widow, says her son has not taken medication for diabetes for a month. Diabetes is a very dangerous disease. In fact, it is a silent killer. In its advanced stage, it can lead to kidney failure, loss of eyesight and other related diseases.

I cannot understand why Uthayakumar cannot be sent to Kuala Lumpur for treatment. During my detention in Kamunting way back more than 20 years ago. I am informed that Dr. Mahathir who was then Home Minister was responsible for having me sent from the Ipoh General Hospital to General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur because I was then suffering from back pain and kidney complications. If Dr. Mahathir could be so humane, I cannot understand why Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, cannot direct Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to make arrangements for Uthayakumar to be immediately sent to the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital or the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur for specialist treatment.

I call upon Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, to be humane and emulate the example of Dr. Mahathir who showed compassion to me when I was admitted to the General Hospital, Ipoh by directing that I be brought to General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur.

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* Karpal Singh, DAP National Chairman & MP for Bukit Gelugor