Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader, P Waythamoorthy, will undergo surgery at a heart specialist centre in the United Kingdom on Monday to place an implant in his heart.

The much-travelled human rights leader is suffering from a rare heart condition known as Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which was discovered by the cardiologist who performed an emergency angioplasty on him on March 2.

waythamoorthy in hospital in london 050309 01 Waythamoorthy was found to have a heart muscle disorder as a result of scar tissue and fatty formations and a serious rhythm disturbance which in most cases can lead to ventricular fibrillation or sudden death.

The progressive loss of muscle can lead to thinning of the ventricular wall, dilation, and pump dysfunction, conditions caused by stress.

In disclosing this, Hindraf coordinator RS Thanenthiran confirmed that the London-based leader would now undergo the operation on March 9 at an undisclosed hospital in United Kingdom.

"Upon the request of his family, Hindraf is withholding the name of the hospital and urge his friends in the UK to understand his request for privacy," said the Butterworth-based Thanenthiran.

He revealed that Waythamoorthy had been advised that he would run the risk of complications during the surgery, such as cardiac arrest, puncture of the heart and other related complications.

In view of the risk and urgent need for Waythamoorthy, a lawyer by training, to be with his family, Hindraf called on the Malaysian government to urgently and immediately address several issues.

Hindraf wants the Putrajaya administration to issue a new passport to Waythamoorthy to replace his revoked one, and made it available for him or his representative to collect from the Malaysian High Commission in London.

Fighting injustice all his life

The movement urged the government to guarantee the safe return of Waythamoorthy to allow him to recuperate with his family members and loved ones. And he shall not be subjected to any arrest, harassment or charges upon his return including under the draconian Internal Security Act.

Hindraf also demanded the government’s assurance that Waythamoorthy would be allowed to return to London for follow-up checks and possible further operations.

Lastly, the human rights movement wants the Malaysian government’s unconditional guarantee that he will be protected from any form of persecution upon his return and no harm shall befall him.

Thanenthiran blamed Waythamoorthy’s deteriorating heart condition on the recent killing of six people in Kulim and death in custody of car theft suspect A Kugan in Selangor, adding that he was heartbroken when he learnt about the killings by the police on Indian Malaysians.

"All his life he has been fighting against such injustice and violation of human rights. He took it hard and is now suffering from a worsening heart condition," alleged Thanenthiran.

kugan ananthan funeral 230109 Kugan, who was arrested on Jan 15 in connection with several luxury car theft cases, died five days later at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya.

The six killed in a police shootout in Kulim on Feb 17 were construction workers R Elangovan, 38; LS Santana, 34; contractor R Pannir, 28; crane driver S Vadivelan, 29; carpenter S Gurusamy, 50, and lorry attendant R Dilip Kumar, 20.

Thanenthiran expressed hopes that Waythamoorthy would recover from his ailing condition to lead Hindraf to greater heights.

Special prayer session in temples

Local Hindraf leaders, members, supporters and sympathisers will hold a special prayer session simultaneously in Hindu temples across the country this Sunday night for Waythamoorthy and his detained brother Uthayakumar to recover speedily from their ailing health conditions.

Diabetic patient Uthayakumar is suffering from worsening health condition, including a fractured toe, in Kamunting Detention Centre. His family claimed he had not been given proper treatment.

Waythamoorthy left Malaysia for London in November 2007 during the government crackdown on Hindraf, stating that he was going to garner international support for the movement. He has not been able to return to Malaysia since the government had issued an arrest warrant for him.

hindraf british petition rally 251107 Waythamoorthy and Uthayakumar were the main leaders of Hindraf which organised a massive 30,000-people rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25, 2007 to oppose the marginalisation of the Indian community in the country.

Uthayakumar and four other Hindraf leaders were detained under ISA in December, 2007. They are still under detention. The government banned Hindraf last October.

Thanenthiran said Waythamoorthy health condition worsened because he was more concerned about the health of Malaysians than his own.

"It’s now our duty to seek the divine’s help for his recovery," he said, accusing the Putrajaya administration of being uncaring and negligent.