Uthaya risks heart attack: family

Source : Malaysiakini


Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar who has been hospitalised during a hunger strike is at risk of suffering a heart attack, his fiancee said today.

Uthayakumar, who is protesting against being jailed without trial along with four other activists, was taken to hospital from a detention centre in Perak yesterday, suffering from dehydration and stomach pains.

His fiancee Indra Devi Subramanian said he was handcuffed to the hospital bed despite being in an extremely weak condition after going without food since Monday.

"The first blood test shows that his potassium level is very high and the chance is for him to have a heart attack. He also has very severe gastric pain and has had difficulties in breathing," she told AFP.

Indra said that Uthayakumar, who was taken into detention in December after helping organise unprecedented protests alleging discrimination against minority ethnic Indians, was under heavy guard.

"They're still treating him like a prisoner, even on the bed. It's very sad to see his condition. He can't move anywhere because one hand has the drip and the other hand is handcuffed to the bed," she said.

"There's about eight to 10 policemen always surrounding him, they are there 24 hours a day, inside and outside the room."

Committed to continue

However, she said he was committed to finishing the hunger strike which is due to end on Monday.

The four other detained activists from rights group Hindraf are also on hunger strike, along with dozens of supporters around the country, organisers said.

The five were jailed under the Internal Security Act (ISA) last month after the mass rally, which police dispersed with tear gas and water cannons.

Malaysia's ISA allows for indefinite detention without trial and has been condemned by human rights activists who say it should be abolished.

Ethnic Indians, who make up eight percent of the country's population, complain they are discriminated against in terms of opportunities, education and jobs.

Muslim Malays, 60 percent of the population, control the government while ethnic Chinese, at 26 percent, dominate business.

YennaMike Says : Mr. Uthayakumar, please take care of yourself, our prayers are with you god bless....