Three Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders currently in detention under the Internal Security Act have 'nominated' fellow detainee P Vasanthakumar as the PKR candidate for the upcoming Bukit Selembau by-election.

hindraf isa detainees 290808 The three - M Manoharan, R Kengadharan and V Ganabatirau - made the suggestions to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim in separate handwritten letters endorsing Vasanthakumar's candidacy.

The letters were submitted to Anwar at the latter's office in Petaling Jaya by Vasanthakumar's wife K Vickneswary during a short meeting.

"Anwar said that he would pass Vasanthakumar’s name to the (candidate) assessment team," Vickneswary told Malaysiakini .

According to the endorsement letters made available to Malaysiakini , the trio credited Vasanthakumar as the organiser for a series of Hindraf roadshows nationwide in late 2007 which drew large crowds.

"Through such activities, he touched base with the poor and destitute Indians nationwide," wrote Ganabatirau in his two-page letter.

"He is a man of impeccable character and has all the qualities of a good leader for all communities, irrespective of race, religion or descent," said Manoharan in his three-page letter.

"It would be an opportunity lost if you deny him the chance. I'm sure his selection to stand at Bukit Selembau will cause PKR to win with a far greater majority," wrote Kengadharan in his three-page letter.

'He's a local boy'

According to Vickneswary, Vasanthakumar was born and bred in Bedong which is close to the Bukit Selembau state constituency.

"Many locals have proposed that he be fielded," said Vickneswary, adding that Vasanthakumar was eligible to stand as a candidate in Kedah because he is a registered voter in Sungai Petani.

hindraf vasanthakumar hospital visit 180408 k. vickneswary Vickneswary said that PKR was approached because Vasanthakumar was interested in the party and that the seat was previously held by the party.

Vasanthakumar, 35, was a banker before his detention and holds a degree in Business Administration from Universiti Utara Malaysia.

Currently, all three Pakatan Rakyat parties are scrambling to field a candidate in the seat which fell vacant after PKR's V Arumugam resigned as a state rep.

Vasanthakumar is the second Hindraf leader that has been proposed - the first being national co-ordinator R Thanenthiran - as a potential candidate to face off against what is almost certain to be a MIC candidate.

p uthayakumar sedition trial 030209 01 However, Hindraf's most recognisable face, P Uthayakumar, who is also under ISA detention, did not submit a letter to Anwar to endorse Vasanthakumar's candidacy.

Uthayakumar and Hindraf chairperson P Waytha Moorthy have both insisted that Hindraf remains politically neutral and would pursue their goals as a NGO.