Release detained ethnic Indians, demands MIC

The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) on Saturday appealed for freedom of the remaining three Hindraf activists detained under a controversial security law, a day after newly elected PM Najib Razak released two members of the ethnic Indian group along with 12 other detainees.

The MIC has expressed the hope that the government will consider the release of the remaining three ethnic Indian activists of the Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf), who continue to be detained under the Internal Security Act.

Welcoming the announcement by Najib on Friday night of the release of two Hindraf detainees lawyers V Ganabatirau and R Kengadharan, MIC chief Samy Vellu said he was happy that the Najib government had agreed to a MIC's request to release the Hindraf members.

"I hope they will release the rest of them quickly as it will make the Indian community happy," Vellu said.

The move made by the sixth Malaysian prime minister hours after he assumed office has been appreciated.

"At the same time, it is also a good sign that there will be openness in this new administration," Ong Tee Keat president Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) said, adding that it was not unprecedented for ISA detention cases to be reviewed from time to time.