GEORGE TOWN: The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) held illegal rallies in six locations nationwide yesterday, resulting in seven supporters being detained in Penang.

They were later released after police recorded their statements. George Town police chief Assistant Commissioner Azam Abdul Hamid said they were picked up for obstructing police in carrying out their duties.

The supporters called for the release of five leaders detained under the Internal Security Act and for one of the leaders, P. Uthayakumar, who is a diabetic, to be admitted to the National Heart Institute (NHI) for treatment.

In Kuala Lumpur, some 50 supporters, including Subang Member of Parliament R. Sivarasa, gathered for half an hour in front of the Suria KLCC shopping centre in Jalan Ampang as some 200 policemen kept a close guard.

Dang Wangi district police chief Assistant Commissioner Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said although the supporters dispersed peacefully as instructed, the police would still continue to investigate the organisers for holding an illegal assembly.
In Seremban, the supporters, including Uthayakumar's wife K. Shanti and Senawang state assemblyman P. Gunasekaren, held signs and shouted slogans during a 25-minute protest in front of the Terminal One shopping complex.

Shanti claimed that treatment for Uthayakumar had been delayed for too long and his health had deteriorated.

Besides Kuala Lumpur and Penang, rallies were also held in Butterworth, Ipoh, Seremban and Johor Baru.

A different demonstration took place in Kuala Lumpur yesterday with some 20 members of Ikatan Kebajikan Rakyat, or Ikrar, delivering speeches calling for abolition of the ISA.

The protest was held at Jalan Tun Perak, near the Masjid Jamek LRT station.

They dispersed 30 minutes later after being ordered by police to do so.