Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has no clue over ex-MIC branch leader Balakrishnan Appala Naidu hunger strike, which has entered its third day today.

At a press conference at the Malaysian Airlines training academy in Kelana Jaya this morning, malaysiakini asked Abdullah if he had received a letter regarding Balakrishnan's plight.

"No. But if he had sent it to my office, I might not be aware of it," he replied.

Balakrishnan has been on a hunger strike since 8am on Wednesday. He is protesting a restricted residence order under the Emergency Ordinance placed on him.

The Emergency Ordinance allows authorities to detain suspected criminals without trial for two years, after which the Internal Security Minister can decide on an extension.

His wife, M Rukumani Devi, joined his strike last night. They are both housed in a hut on Jalan Kuala Balah, which Balakrishnan claims was built by the surrounding villagers.

Balakrishnan and his wife say they will only cease their strike if the prime minister intervenes in his detention.

Conflicting accounts

Balakrishnan's brother, A Thirumoorthy is however adamant that he had briefed Abdullah about the matter yesterday while the premier was walking out of a meeting in Tanah Merah, Kelantan. The PM was there as part of the run up to the Pengakalan Pasir by-election on Dec 6.

According to Thirumoorthy, he had not only spoken to Abdullah about Balakrishnan's hunger strike, but he had also handed a letter to Abdullah personally.

"When he came out of his meeting, I greeted him and spoke to him. Then I gave him the letter which he personally received. I asked him to look into our appeal, and he replied, 'Ok, no problem'," said Thirumoorthy when contacted.

Similar letters were given to one of Abdullah's aide, Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon, and Umno Information chief Muhammad Muhd Taib, said Thirumoorthy.

He added that some of Balakrishnan's immediate family and close friends are in Jeli to give moral support to the couple. Rukumani is said be very weak and is unable to sit up but remains conscious.

Thirumoorthy said that no one seems to be taking Balakrishnan's case seriously, and the only consistent visitors to the hut have been the local police who are trying to persuade Balakrishnan to end the strike.

Asked about the family's next course of action, Thirumoorthy said, "We are waiting for any sign of good news. We trust the prime minister will make a good decision".

Second strike

Balakrishnan claims he is the president of the MIC branch in Sungai Dua Tambahan, Rawang and has been for the past 11 years.

He was initially arrested under the Emergency Ordinance on April 29, 2004. Police suspected he was the leader of the infamous '08' triad in his area.

He was sent to the Simpang Renggam detention centre in Johor, but the Johor Baru High Court on Feb 25 this year ruled his detention invalid and ordered his immediate release.

He was rearrested ( see video here ) immediately after leaving the detention centre and spent 60 days under custody at the Selayang lock-up. Police arrested him under the same charge as when he was initially arrested in 2004.

Balakrishnan was then banished for two years to Kuala Balah, Jeli in Kelantan on April 8.

This hunger strike would be Balakrishnan's second. His first strike in Simpang Renggam lasted 16 days, resulting in him being hospitalised for several weeks.

The sweeping powers of the Emergency Ordinance has long drawn flak from many parties, and lately, the Bar Council. The Royal Police Commission had recommended that the ordinance be repealed .