Ethnic Indians warn of more street protests unless Malaysia frees detainees - AP

By Julia Zappei

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Ethnic Indian activists in Malaysia warned Tuesday of more street protests if the government doesn't free five activists being held without trial under a strict security law.

The top five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force were arrested in December after organizing a rally in which about 20,000 Indians protested alleged government discrimination. Police used tear gas and water cannons to crush the protest.

The activists are being held under the Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detention without trial.

"I'm warning the government ... don't play with fire. We will go down again to protest," said S. Manikavasagam, a leading activist with Hindraf and a recently elected member of Parliament.

Malaysia's minority Indian community largely voted against the government in general elections last month, partly because of the wave of sympathy that followed the police crackdown on the Hindraf protest. One of the Hindraf leaders detained was elected to a state assembly seat while imprisoned.

N. Surendran, a lawyer with the group, said the election results showed "people are repulsed and disgusted by detention without trial."

"People are waiting. ... If the government is not going to shift its position, the people will have a right to protest peacefully," he said.

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