Prominent human rights lawyer P Uthayakumar has sought asylum in the United Kingdom as he no longer feels safe in Malaysia.

"On May 20, Uthayakumar left for London to seek asylum on the advice of friends and close associates,"a statement from the Police Watch and Human Rights Committee (PWHRC) said today.

The statement was distributed to journalists attending a press conference today. The conference was organised by PWHRC members M Manoharan, RN Rajah. N Surendran, Uthayakumar's brother PW Moorthy and Keadilan Youth vice-chief S Manickavasagam.

"Upon our advice, Uthayakumar has left for London to seek temporary asylum until the government and the Royal Malaysian Police Force can assure that his life would not be in danger. We call upon the Home Minister and the Inspector-General of Police to immediately give us a guarantee for his safety," the statement added.

Asked whether Uthayakumar would return to Malaysia, Manoharan said "there's a possibility."

"Uthayakumar loves Malaysia but he will not return until he is assured of his personal safety. It is sad to see him leave but it is just not safe for him to stay anymore," Manoharan explained.

Uthayakumar, a vocal critic of police abuses claimed that he was assaulted and also threatened at gunpoint on May 10. He suffered injuries and his car was also damaged.

He later filed a police report claiming the police to be the perpetrators as he was instrumental in the case of G Francis Udayapan who disappeared while under police custody. Francis' body was later found in the Klang River near Puchong.

Uthayakumar has since applied for a firearm permit but failed in his attempt.

Cases will be handled

Asked about the status of his cases and how his absence would affect them, Manoharan explained that there are other lawyers handling the cases and that his brother Moorthy would also be assisting.

"Even family members of suspected police abuse victims he had acted for had advised him to leave the country as they know that his life was in danger," Moorthy said adding that his brother had applied for asylum under the social category.

"He applied for asylum as soon as he landed at London's Heathrow airport and is expected to be lobbying several non-governmental organisations on his cause.

"To date, Uthayakumar has met with officials from Amnesty International, International Bar Association, the British Bar Council and the Law Society of United Kingdom," the PWHRC statement added.

Uthayakumar would also be meeting with a parliamentary Human Rights Committee and human rights officials from Europe.