Mar 5, 09 12:16pm
Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy is suffering from a serious heart condition and wants to return to Malaysia to seek treatment.He is presently admitted at a heart centre in London and had already undergone an angioplasty procedure on Monday.
A statement released by Hindraf (New York) coordinator R Shan today stated that during the said procedure, the doctors found that Waythamoorthy has a very rare heart condition."The cardiologist found that he has an enlarged heart on the right and abnormal heartbeat (ventricular tacha cardia) which in most cases can lead to ventricular fibrillation or sudden death," said Shan.
It is learnt that Waythamoorthy's wife K Nageswary has flown to London on Tuesday to be with him.Shan added that the doctors were unsure on the cause of the swelling on the right part of Waythamoorthy's heart.They have also confirmed that there were abnormal formations of tissues in the said area.Waythamoorthy will now have to undergo another operation to place an implant in his heart.
However the Hindraf leader does not want to undergo further treatment in London and wants to return to Malaysia for treatment so that he can be with his family.Shan said that as such, it was important for the Malaysian government to issue Waythamoorthy a new passport to replace his revoked passport.He added that the Malaysian High Commission in London should be able to produce a new passport for Waythamoorthy.
No arrest guarantee sought
The government had revoked Waythamoorthy's passport last year and since then he had been allowed only limited travelling with a travel document granted by the British government.
Shan also said that the government should guarantee Waythamoorthy's safe return to allow him to recuperate with his family members and loved ones."The government should not subject him to any arrest, harassment or charges upon his return, including the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) on him," added Shan.He also said that the government should also allow Waythamoorthy to return to London for follow up checks and possible further operations.
Waythamoorthy has been in London since November 2007. He left Malaysia in the heat of a government crackdown on Hindraf, stating that he was going to garner international lobby for the movement. He has not been back to Malaysia ever since.
Waythamoorthy and his brother Uthayakumar were the main leaders of Hindraf which organised a massive 30,000-people rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25, 2007 to oppose the marginalisation of the Indian community in the country.Uthayakumar and four other Hindraf leaders were detained under the Internal Security Act in December 2007. They are still under detention. The government banned Hindraf last October.
The government has previously said that it would arrest Waythamoorthy upon his return to Malaysia.
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To all Hindus, let light up an "agal vilaku" daily in your prayers room from today and pray for his recovery.
To all Hindus, let light up an "agal vilaku" daily in your prayers room from today and pray for his recovery.---------------------------------------------------------------
