Uthayakumar’s lawyer to meet him to check out claims of ill-treatment in prison

Lawyer M. Manoharan (pic) is keen to meet P. Uthayakumar at the Kajang prison to check on his condition following claims that the Hindraf de facto leader was being ill-treated.

"I will have to inquire from him before taking necessary action," Manoharan told The Malaysian Insider today.

Manoharan, who was detained with Uthayakumar in 2007 in Kamunting under the repealed Internal Security Act, declined further comment, saying he would wait until he heard from Uthayakumar.

As required, he said he will have to give notice to the Prisons Department that he wishes to meet his client.

Manoharan was commenting on a statement by Hindraf deputy secretary R.N. Rajah that Uthayakumar was denied the plastic chair initially given to him to ease his suffering from a prolapsed disc.

Rajah claimed that Uthayakumar was being punished for complaining to the court that he was not treated well in prison.

"His legs have begun to swell again," Rajah said in a statement yesterday.

Rajah claimed that Uthayakumar was now held in a 10ft by 10ft cell with a 2ft by 10ft area that has a squatting toilet and space to take a bath. There's no privacy as the area is not partitioned.

"He is detained with five others," said Rajah, adding that the other prisoners had a full view of Uthayakumar naked when taking a shower or easing himself.

Questioning the treatment, Rajah asked: "Is he the only political prisoner in jail?"

Uthayakumar, who is a diabetic, had on Tuesday complained of ill-treatment during case management proceedings at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.

He is appealing against a 30-month jail term for sedition. High Court deputy registrar Nooraini Yusof said she would write to the prison authorities to look into Uthayakumar's medical needs.

Uthayakumar did not apply for bail to remain free pending his appeal.

However, his appeal cannot be heard until the lower court judge issues the written grounds of judgment.