Gov't to free Hindraf trio and 10 others

The government will release another 13 Internal Security Act detainees, including three of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders.

"All of them have been freed because they no longer need to be held under ISA. I will sign the papers now, I expect them to be released in two or three days," said Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told a press conference.

He did not give the reasons for the release of the 13 but added that they "no longer needed to be held".

Of the 13 to be released, six are Malaysians, two Indonesians and the remaining five are Filipinos.

They are Zulkepli Marzuki, Jeknal Adil, Azmi Pindatun, P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, T Vasanthakumar, Zainun Rasyhid, Aboud Ghafar Ismail, Sufian Salih, Hasim Talib, Abdul Jamal Azahari Yusof Mohd Salam and Husin Alih.

He said Malaysia was discussing deportation plans of the foreigners with their embassies.

Hours after taking the reins in April, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak ordered the release of 13 ISA detainees, including Hindraf leaders V Ganabatirau and R Kengadharan.

The release of the trio will remove a thorn in the side of new prime minister, who is trying to promote his reform credentials.

'Mas Selamat detained under ISA'

The three Hindraf leaders still in detention are P Uthayakumar, T Vasanthakumar and M Manoharan.

Manoharan is also the state representative for Kota Alam Shah in Selangor. He won the seat from behind bars in the last general election.

Hishammuddin denied that the decision to free Manoharan was triggered by his recent threat to quit, which would force a by-election that the government can ill afford after a series of defeats in the polls over the past year.

"None at all," he said, when asked whether political motivations were behind the release.

The Hindraf 5 were detained in December 2007 after mounting a massive street protest which saw tens of thousands of Indian Malaysians taking to the streets.

In an immediate reaction, Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy welcomed the release of the three Hindraf leaders but urged the government to release all remaining detainees and close down the detention centre.

"I also hope this is not an eyewash to divert the people's attention from the ugly episode in Perak yesterday," he said when contacted.

Waythamoorthy, who is Uthayakumar's younger brother, is presently in exile in London following the government crackdown on Hindraf. The movement was outlawed last October.

S Indradevi, the fiancee of Uthayakumar, said she was overjoyed at the news which was completely unexpected.

"I am very happy indeed and I am thankful to (Hindraf campaigners) who have been through a lot for us including tear gas and water cannons," she told AFP .

"The first thing I am going to do is to take him for proper medical treatment for his diabetes, heart and skin problems."

Mano's wife: I can't believe it

Meanwhile, Manoharan's wife S Pushpaneela ( right ) was elated with the news of her husband's impending release.

"I can't believe it. My children and I can't wait to see him free again. Now he can serve the people who voted him in as the state representative of Kota Alam Shah," she told Malaysiakini .

Manoharan won the seat while in detention but in recent days he is said to have grown frustrated of being unable to serve the constituency.

He has expressed his intentions to quit the seat but this is now irrelevant with his release.

As of early April there were 27 people in detention under the ISA, mainly suspected Islamic militants.

Hishammuddin confirmed today that alleged militant leader Mas Selamat bin Kastari was also being held.

According to the minister, the alleged Islamic militant leader was captured and is being held under ISA.

"Mas Selamat is under our detention and is being investigated right now. He was planning something which allows us to arrest him," Hishammuddin said.

"He is under ISA," he said.