Hindraf leader in hospital: Minister

Prominent ethnic Indian leader P Uthayakumar, currently detained under Malaysia's tough security law, is being treated for his illness at a government hospital, a top minister has said.

Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam said he had been informed by the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar that Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) leader Uthayakumar, a diabetic, had been receiving treatment at the Teluk Intan government hospital.

Subramaniam said he hoped that the government would make arrangements if Uthayakumar need specialist treatment for his diabetes-afflicted foot. His remarks came after Uthayakumar's supporters alleged that their leader is being treated improperly and they filed police complaint in this regard.

Police used water cannon to disperse about 200 of them near the Brickfields police station here last Saturday.

Uttayakumar and four of his Hindraf colleagues have been detained under Internal Security Act since December 2007 for organising an illegal rally of ethnic Indians on November 25, 2007, which was attended by more than 20,000 members of the minority community to protest against alleged marginalisation of ethnic Indians in jobs and opportunities.

The government has denied the allegations.