Newly-sworn in deputy minister P Waythamorthy said that his elder brother Uthayakumar should have been acquitted without his defence being called on the charge of sedition.
As such, the Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia chairperson urges Uthayakumar to appeal the 30-month jail sentence while the window is still open as he stands a "good chance".
"Shocked and saddened" by the verdict, Waythamoorthy (left) said that his brother may have used "harsh words" against the Malaysian authorities in his letter to the British prime minister.
"Shocked and saddened" by the verdict, Waythamoorthy (left) said that his brother may have used "harsh words" against the Malaysian authorities in his letter to the British prime minister.
However, the senator, himself a lawyer, said that is not tantamount to sedition.
Uthayakumar, who is also Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader, was sentenced on Wednesday, several hours after his brother wassworn in as senator to take up the post of deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
Uthayakumar - found guilty of publishing seditious material alleging state-sponsored social 'ethnic cleansing' of the Indian poor in Malaysia - refused to appeal the sentence as a form of protest.
Waythamoorthy, when asked by KiniTV about his brother's situation prior to the sentencing, broke into a chuckle and walked away.
Breaking his silence on the matter through a statement today, he said that it was "understandable" for Uthayakumar to use such "harsh words" given the situation at the time.
"This was understandable at that given time as it was written on the day the Padang Jaya Hindu temple was demolished for the second time by the Selangor government.
"Naturally, Uthayakumar who wrote the letter as the legal adviser of Hindraf at the time in 2007 was angry with the BN-led Selangor government," he noted.
'Uthaya, a man of distinctive talents'
Waythamoorthy added that Uthayakumar would be in a better position to "lead his party and the common struggle which he shares with Hindraf from outside prison, and not within the confined walls".
"(Uthayakumar's) distinctive talents and persistence cannot ideally function within bounded prison walls," he said.
The brothers split paths after Waythamoorthy returned from his exile in London.
Uthayakumar, who is also Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader, was sentenced on Wednesday, several hours after his brother wassworn in as senator to take up the post of deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
Uthayakumar - found guilty of publishing seditious material alleging state-sponsored social 'ethnic cleansing' of the Indian poor in Malaysia - refused to appeal the sentence as a form of protest.
Waythamoorthy, when asked by KiniTV about his brother's situation prior to the sentencing, broke into a chuckle and walked away.
Breaking his silence on the matter through a statement today, he said that it was "understandable" for Uthayakumar to use such "harsh words" given the situation at the time.
"This was understandable at that given time as it was written on the day the Padang Jaya Hindu temple was demolished for the second time by the Selangor government.
"Naturally, Uthayakumar who wrote the letter as the legal adviser of Hindraf at the time in 2007 was angry with the BN-led Selangor government," he noted.
'Uthaya, a man of distinctive talents'
Waythamoorthy added that Uthayakumar would be in a better position to "lead his party and the common struggle which he shares with Hindraf from outside prison, and not within the confined walls".
"(Uthayakumar's) distinctive talents and persistence cannot ideally function within bounded prison walls," he said.
The brothers split paths after Waythamoorthy returned from his exile in London.
Waythamoorthy brokered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the government and registered the movement as Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia, with himself as chairperson.
The Human Rights Party, where Uthayakumar (right) is secretary-general, was, however, unable to secure its registration as a political party.
Despite the split, Waythamoorthy said that the estranged duo "share the same human rights sentiments" and the "same goals".
"We differ in style, but we are both fighting for the same cause. Therefore, I would be glad to see Uthayakumar out and continuing his efforts via the Human Rights Party," he said.
The Human Rights Party, where Uthayakumar (right) is secretary-general, was, however, unable to secure its registration as a political party.
Despite the split, Waythamoorthy said that the estranged duo "share the same human rights sentiments" and the "same goals".
"We differ in style, but we are both fighting for the same cause. Therefore, I would be glad to see Uthayakumar out and continuing his efforts via the Human Rights Party," he said.
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