I’m not a common criminal, Uthaya tells PM Najib

The Hindraf leader highlights his mistreatment by prison authorities in a letter to the Prime Minister.

PETALING JAYA: For the third time in 11 months, Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar has cried foul over his treatment in Kajang Prison where he is serving a 30-month sentence for sedition.

Uthayakumar, in a letter to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, alleged that the prison authorities were violating the Prison’s Act and a High Court order to place him with political prisoners.

Uthayakumar, currently in solitary confinement, said: “I was jailed in the ‘dark room’, a punishment cell for 16 days when in effect the rule only allows for one day of separation.

“This is in blatant contravention of Regulations 119 and 121 of the Prison’s Act of 1995.”

After Uthayakumar was removed from the ‘dark room’, he claimed he was locked up with violent and dangerous criminals. There were also about 10 transvestites in the cell.

“This, again, is in clear violation of the KL High Court Order which specified that I be detained with political prisoners. I’m not a common criminal, Mr Prime Minister,” said Uthayakumar.

Last June, Sessions Court found Uthayakumar guilty under the Sedition Act 1948 and sentenced him to 30 months in jail for writing seditious letters to then British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2007.

The Hindraf leader had refused to submit his defence at the Sessions Court in protest against the alleged discrimination suffered by Indians in the country.

Degrading treatment of prisoners

Uthayakumar, a diabetic who suffers from back and chest pains, also claimed he was denied hospital visits by the Kajang Prison despite his many written requests.

“They even rejected my request for hot water to make oats to control my diabetes and cholesterol level, as advised by my doctor,” said Uthayakumar.

According to Uthayakumar, he was denied basic toiletries and forced to sleep on a concrete floor with just one shirt and long pants.

“Everything was confiscated. My only towel, short pants, Prisons Act book, reading and writing materials,” he said.

“I urge the prison officials to stop the arbitrary shouting, beating up and punishments of prisoners in the ‘dark room’. It is an open violation of the 1995 Prison’s Act,” he said

The pro-tem secretary-general of Malaysian Human Rights Party urged the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter and instruct the prison authorities to respect the rights of detainees in Kajang Prison.

Uthayakumar has nine more months to go before completing his prison term.