Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Waythamoorthy has returned to Malaysia, allaying fears that he would be arrested by the Johor immigration department.

There was a moment of suspense about noon for about 20 supporters when the immigration personnel took away his passport briefly.

NONE “They (the immigration) said I was on the police wanted list,” said Waythamoorthy in a brief telephone conversation with Malaysiakini .

He was invited to the discussion with immigration officials in an office but refused to participate.

After a short discussion with immigration front desk personnel, the passport was returned and he was allowed free passage.

Several supporters who were travelling with Waythamoorthy from Singapore went through the same ordeal.

“We are happy and bit shocked. We thought he would be arrested,” said Hindraf national coordinator W Sambulingam when contacted.

The entourage were greeted by a convoy of six cars. They were then taken to a temple in Johor Bahru for a meeting and to address supporters before returning to his home in Seremban tonight.

Police monitoring Waythamoorthy

According to Bernama , Waythamoorthy said he would not be taking sides in the country's political arena nor would Hindraf become a political party.

He stressed that Hindraf's main duty was to champion the cause of the Indian community in the country.                                          

Waythamoorthy left the country soon after the Hindraf rally in November 2007 to take the movement’s campaign global. His passport was revoked on April 2008.

In related development, according to the news agency, police will be monitoring the activities of Waythamoorthy to maintain national security.

NONE Inspector-general of police Ismail Omar (left) said the return of the Hindraf leader would not be a threat to national security so long as he abided by the laws of this country.

"We hope his return will not lead to any disturbance and other actions which infringe the law.

"If he is back with good intentions just like other Malaysians, we will not take any action," he told reporters in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur today.

Ismail advised Waythamoorthy to cooperate with the police and the community to maintain national security.

"I believe as a Malaysian citizen, he will cooperate with us and all other parties which respect the laws of the country," he said.

Additional reporting by citizen journalist Shanmugam Govindasamy.