Malaysia’s ethnic Indian party wants activists freed in surprising about-turn - International Herald Tribune
The leader of Malaysia’s main ethnic Indian party called Sunday for the release of five Indian activists, including a recently elected lawmaker, held under a security law.
The move by S. Samy Vellu, head of the Malaysian Indian Congress, was a surprising about-turn after he previously criticized the activists for organizing a rally in November in which about 20,000 Indians protested alleged government discrimination.
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Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Friday the government cannot free the detainees because they are still considered a security threat.
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Samy, who has been a lawmaker for more than 30 years, was defeated in the elections and later dropped as a minister from Abdullah’s new Cabinet but remained the leader of his Indian party.
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