Detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) legal adviser P Uthayakumar is “being pressured to secretly undergo treatment” at the National Heart Institute, claimed his brother Waytha Moorthy.
In a statement issued from London, where he is living in self-imposed exile, Waytha Moorthy (photo) said his brother is being compelled to do so without his family members being informed.“Uthayakumar fears for his life and does not wish to be treated without the presence and knowledge of his family members at the National Heart Institute,” he wrote.
Uthayakumar is one of five Hindraf leaders being detained for two years at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak. They were arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) on Dec 13 last year, which allows for detention without trial.A diabetic for 12 years, Uthayakumar is said to have developed a heart ailment. He has been admitted twice to the Taiping hospital, in January after a hunger strike and again from April 7-10.
Waytha Moorthy, who is Hindraf chairperson, alleged that the “prison director and other government officers” have been applying pressure on Uthayakumar.
“He has written to the prison director, requesting (that) his family be informed and for access to his lawyers while in hospital. His lawyer (N Surendran) had also written to the prison director on Uthayakumar’s requests.
“We are puzzled why the prison director is compelling him to undergo secret treatment and is threatening to lodge a police report against Uthayakumar for wilfully refusing treatment. (This is) still a democratic country and there should be transparency and openness (about) his treatment.”
Urging Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to look into the situation, Waytha Moorthy also posed the query if a “silent agenda” is involved.
‘He’s no terrorist’
Contacted today, Surendran said some irregularities were detected during Uthayakumar’s last visit to Taiping Hospital and “there may be some damage to his heart”.
“He wants to go as soon as possible because he is anxious about his health but he wants his family there because he is worried as to whether major procedures will be involved,” said Surendran.“They refuse to tell us when they (intend to) take him, saying that this must be kept secret for security purposes.
“What is there a need for security? He is no terrorist. This is an excuse to traumatise the family and make things as difficult as possible for him.”
Hindraf supporters have held rallies demanding the release of their leaders, as well as access to medical attention for Uthayakumar.
FACTS ABOUT DIABETES FROM BBC ONLINE:
 Diabetes must be carefully monitored |
There are two types of diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes - also known as insulin-dependent or immune-mediated diabetes - is a disease that destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone insulin.
Insulin is needed to control blood sugar levels. Without insulin death is inevitable.
Type 1 sufferers, who typically develop the condition as children or young adults, are usually unable to produce any insulin at all.
They need to boost their insulin levels, either by regular injections or by wearing a pump which dispenses the hormone under the skin.
It cannot be administered as a pill because it would be destroyed by the digestive process before it had a chance to work.
What are the symptoms?
Type 1 diabetes often appears suddenly. Signs and symptoms are:
- High levels of sugar in the blood;
- High levels of sugar in the urine;
- Frequent urination (and/or bed-wetting in children);
- Extreme hunger;
- Extreme thirst;
- Extreme weight loss;
- Weakness and tiredness;
- Irritability and mood swings;
- Nausea and vomiting.
What causes Type 1 diabetes?
The cause of the disease is unknown, although there is evidence that it might be inherited.
Other environmental factors and illnesses seem to trigger the disease.
Can Type 1 diabetes be controlled?
People with type 1 diabetes can live happy, healthy lives provided they follow a diabetes treatment plan.
Blood sugar levels must be kept as close to normal as possible through insulin injections, regular exercise and control of diet.
Blood and urine tests will show if the disease is under control. The presence of ketones in the urine indicates that there are problems.
Type 2 Diabetes:
Type 2, or non-insulin dependent diabetes is the most common form of the disease. It usually occurs in people who are over the age of 45 and overweight.
Type 2 sufferers do not make enough insulin, or are unable to make proper use of it.
Without enough insulin, the body cannot move blood sugar into the cells. Sugar builds up in the bloodstream and causes health problems.
What causes Type 2 diabetes?
Again the cause of the disease is unknown, but is probably inherited. As with type 1 diabetes, other factors appear to trigger the disease such as obesity.
What are the symptoms?
Type 2 diabetes often develops slowly. Most people who get it have increased thirst and an increased need to urinate.
Many also feel tired, irritable and nauseous. Some people have an increased appetite, but they lose weight.
Other signs are:
- Repeated or hard-to-heal infections of the skin, gums, vagina, or bladder;
- Blurred vision;
- Tingling or loss of feeling in the hands or feet;
- Dry, itchy skin.
The symptoms can be so mild that they go unnoticed. They may also be confused with signs of ageing. It is thought that millions of people worldwide suffer from type 2 diabetes without realising it.
What is the outlook?
Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by keeping blood sugar levels as close as possible to normal.
This can be done by regular exercise and diet control alone.
Losing weight helps some overweight people to bring their blood sugars into the normal range.
Is help available?
Information and advice can be obtained from Diabetes UK careline on 020 7424 1030 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).
This page contains basic information. If you are concerned about your health, you should consult a doctor.
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