ISA detainee allowed to visit sick son

ISA detainee R Kenghadaran was today given time off from his incarceration to visit his ailing son at the private hospital in Johor Baru.

His wife M Kalaivani said that Kenghadaran arrived from the Kamunting detention centre this morning and spent some two hours with his son.

He was taken back to the detention centre in Perak after the visit. He was accompanied by special branch officers during the visit.

The son, two and a half-year old M Pavan Pillai has been unwell since early this month and has been admitted since Oct 13.

"My son was very happy to see him," Kalaivani told Malaysiakini today.

She added that she was surprised when the authorities agreed to her request for Kenghadaran to visit their son.

"He was with us for about two hours. We had some good time with him. He was concerned for the well-being of our son," she said.

Kalaivani said she was sad that Kenghadaran could not be with the family as a result of his detention without trial.

"Of course we would want him to be with us all the time," she said. This was Kenghadaran's first public appearance since his detention last December.

Thanking The Authorities

When asked on how Kenghadaran appeared, Kalaivani said that her husband looked tired and wished he would be freed soon.

Lawyer Kenghadaran and four other Hindraf leaders - M Manoharan, P Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau and K Vasantha Kumar were all detained on Dec 13 last year for leading the Hindu rights movement against alleged marginalisation of the Indian community.

The detainees' habeas corpus applications seeking their freedom were also rejected by the High Courts.

In recent months, there have been increased calls from Barisan Nasional and the opposition for the release of all the Hindraf 5 leaders as well as all other ISA detainees.

Kalaivani also thanked the authorities for allowing her husband to make the visit to visit their ailing son on the humanitarian grounds.

"My family, my son and I truly appreciate their gesture in allowing him to come to the hospital and spent the two hours with us," she said.