The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has adjourned the sedition trial of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) legal advisor P Uthayakumar to April 28.

Sessions Judge Sabariah Othman, who was to have heard the matter for three days from today, allowed the adjournment after Uthayakumar’s application to seek treatment for his swollen left ankle.

p uthayakumar sedition trial 030209 01 Counsel M Manogaran said Uthayakumar (left) , a diabetic for the past 14 years, had injured his leg on Saturday at the Kamunting detention camp in Perak but was not given medical attention.

“He has pain in the left leg and the toe is swollen. He might be suffering from water retention... but we are not doctors. Therefore, we would like to apply for him to be examined,” said the lawyer.

He claimed that Uthayakumar - who is detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) - was brought to Kuala Lumpur “blindfolded” and that he again hit his foot on arrival at a police station yesterday.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran did not object to the application.

Sabariah ordered the police to take Uthayakumar to a government hospital immediately, although the defence team had asked for him to be treated at a private medical centre, preferably the Gleneagles Hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

Speaking to reporters, Uthayakumar said he feared that the injury could lead to the “amputation of the whole foot” because of his health condition.

He said he wanted to be treated in a private hospital because he is afraid of “tampering with the results” if a government hospital is involved.

Uthayakumar, who was in a white shirt and tattered blue pants, also sported a long beard.

More than 45 people were at the Jalan Duta court complex this morning to show support including his mother G Kalaivani, sister P Waythanayagi and fiancée S Indradevi.

Books on the way

Uthayakumar said he has completed writing a book on events that led to the mammoth Hindraf rally on Nov 25, 2007, and is working on a second book to highlight the “execution of Indians in Malaysia”.

He also said he has informed the ISA advisory board that he and his brother P Waythamoorthy (currently living in self-exile in London) were solely responsible for Hindraf.

“The three lawyers (M Manoharan, V Ganabatirau and K Kengadhadran who are also detained) were merely legal advisers and not involved in the day-to-day operations of Hindraf,” reiterated Uthayakumar.

“I have no regrets as my struggle is for justice, freedom and prosperity.”

p uthayakumar sedition trial 030209 02 The sedition trial is over a letter posted on a website linked to Hindraf, which was banned last October.

Originally addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, it highlighted alleged marginalisation of Indian Malaysians and sought the British government's help to move an emergency UN resolution condemning ‘ethnic cleansing' in Malaysia.

Uthayakumar was charged on Dec 11, 2007 and was on RM50,000 bail when he was arrested two days later under the ISA, which provides for indefinite detention without trial.

Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 carries a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or a jail term not exceeding three years, or both for a first offence.

At the last hearing on Oct 20, 2008, the court heard arguments on alleged bias by the attorney-general (AG).

Manogaran claimed that the AG had sought to prosecute Uthayakumar over the letter as a result of "bad blood between them". As such, he said that the consent form signed by the AG is invalid.

Sabariah had then adjourned the hearing to today to hear further submissions.