The Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs today urged Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to release the five Hindraf leaders held under the Internal Security Act.

indian coalition pc 030108 a vaithilingam Chairperson of the coalition A Vaithilingam said that it was pointless to continue to hold the five as "causes and grievances brought up by Hindraf have been admitted by almost all the BN officials over the past few months".

"We further request the prime minister to have an open mind and open up dialogue with Hindraf as their release and subsequent interest in dialogue will help the government win back the confidence of the Indian community," he said in a statement.

He said that the government must be held responsible for the outburst of emotions of the Indian community, and Hindraf members in particular.

"It has led to the frustration and lack of confidence in the nation's leaders by all Malaysians," he said.

The five Hindraf leaders - R Kengadharan, 41, M Manoharan, 47, V Ganabatirau, 35, P Uthayakumar, 47, and K Vasantha Kumar, 35 - were arrested on Dec 13 for their role in organising a campaign to highlight the plights of the Indian community in this country.

The coalition's call for the release of the five today comes just a day after MIC made a similar call.

MIC president S Samy Vellu yesterday had urged the government to release the five as they no longer pose a threat to the national security.

"It's about time that they are released as they pose no danger to the security of the country.

"The government should not hold them any longer as it will prolong the Indian community's ill-feelings towards the government," the former works minister had said in a statement .

Tomorrow, Samy Vellu will be meeting the prime minister to make a personal plea for the release of the five.