A lawyer's shame - Ambiga says justice system failed Indira
Published: Nov 21, 2025 2:13 PM
Updated: 5:19 PM
“Where else would I be?”
This was former Malaysian Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan’s unwavering response when asked if she would join M Indira Gandhi’s protest march to Bukit Aman tomorrow.
Ambiga reflected on the harsh reality in Malaysia, where time is often expected to heal or erase the pain of those who suffer.
“But how do you forget a child? Who you know is being hidden away. Who our police (who are one of the best) just cannot seem to find. Who deserved to grow up with her loving mother and siblings,” she told Malaysiakini.
As a lawyer, Ambiga said she felt embarrassed that despite court orders and rulings at the highest level, “we as a civilised society cannot find the child and return her”.
Ambiga Sreenevasan
“In fact, there is no information! Snatched at 11 months old, this child is now 17, having gone through her growing years without her mother. Yes, I will be there (at the protest).
“Our system of justice has failed her,” she added.
‘I wouldn’t recognise her if she walked next to me’
In a recent interview with Malaysiakini, Indira reminisced about the few precious memories she holds of her long-lost daughter, admitting that it is almost impossible for her to imagine the young woman her child has now become.
“Even if she walked beside me tomorrow, I wouldn’t even recognise Prasana. I mean, to not be able to imagine your own child’s face, it is sad,” she said.
At tomorrow’s rally, dubbed “a mother’s final appeal to her nation’s conscience,” Indira will push her daughter’s stroller toward the police headquarters, intending to personally hand her daughter’s teddy bear to the inspector-general of police (IGP) - a poignant gesture carrying the hope that justice, though long delayed, might still be delivered.
Indira’s 16-year struggle began when her ex-husband, Riduan Abdullah (formerly K Pathmanathan), unilaterally converted their children to Islam, abducted Prasana, and disappeared.
In 2013, the Ipoh High Court overturned the conversion of the three minors, ruling it violated natural justice since Indira’s consent was not obtained. The court also granted her full custody.
“In fact, there is no information! Snatched at 11 months old, this child is now 17, having gone through her growing years without her mother. Yes, I will be there (at the protest).
“Our system of justice has failed her,” she added.
‘I wouldn’t recognise her if she walked next to me’
In a recent interview with Malaysiakini, Indira reminisced about the few precious memories she holds of her long-lost daughter, admitting that it is almost impossible for her to imagine the young woman her child has now become.
“Even if she walked beside me tomorrow, I wouldn’t even recognise Prasana. I mean, to not be able to imagine your own child’s face, it is sad,” she said.
At tomorrow’s rally, dubbed “a mother’s final appeal to her nation’s conscience,” Indira will push her daughter’s stroller toward the police headquarters, intending to personally hand her daughter’s teddy bear to the inspector-general of police (IGP) - a poignant gesture carrying the hope that justice, though long delayed, might still be delivered.
Indira’s 16-year struggle began when her ex-husband, Riduan Abdullah (formerly K Pathmanathan), unilaterally converted their children to Islam, abducted Prasana, and disappeared.
In 2013, the Ipoh High Court overturned the conversion of the three minors, ruling it violated natural justice since Indira’s consent was not obtained. The court also granted her full custody.
Riduan Abdullah
However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court order directing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to recover Prasana. Riduan defied the order, missing the deadline of June 6, 2014.
In 2016, the Federal Court finally ordered the police to arrest Riduan and reunite Prasana with her mother - a mandate that remains unfulfilled.
Last month, a social media post reignited scrutiny over the police and Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) handling of the case by alleging that Indira’s ex-husband remains in Malaysia and has been benefiting from government assistance such as Budi95 and the Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara).
Checks by Malaysiakini on the Budi95 and Sara platforms, using the MyKad number linked to Riduan, found that the account had fully utilised the one-off RM100 Sara cash aid and nearly 100 litres from the 300-litre Budi95 fuel subsidy quota.
A check on the Immigration Department’s travel status portal using the same IC number also showed “no restrictions” on his ability to travel abroad.
However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court order directing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to recover Prasana. Riduan defied the order, missing the deadline of June 6, 2014.
In 2016, the Federal Court finally ordered the police to arrest Riduan and reunite Prasana with her mother - a mandate that remains unfulfilled.
Last month, a social media post reignited scrutiny over the police and Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) handling of the case by alleging that Indira’s ex-husband remains in Malaysia and has been benefiting from government assistance such as Budi95 and the Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara).
Checks by Malaysiakini on the Budi95 and Sara platforms, using the MyKad number linked to Riduan, found that the account had fully utilised the one-off RM100 Sara cash aid and nearly 100 litres from the 300-litre Budi95 fuel subsidy quota.
A check on the Immigration Department’s travel status portal using the same IC number also showed “no restrictions” on his ability to travel abroad.
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