KUALA LUMPUR: Hindraf legal advisor M Manoharan, who is detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), is expected to remain as Kota Alam Shah assemblyman following assurance from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) that it would raise the tempo to secure the release of all ISA detainees.
A source said the first-term assemblyman was unhappy with the lacklustre effort by PR in the past year to pressure the federal government in releasing in particular the Hindraf 5, adding that the Hindu movement had fought tooth and nail to help the opposition record unprecedented results in the 12th general election.
He said while Manoharan’s legal practise and constituency’s service centre operations were among his concerns, the major factor that triggered his intention to resign was that he felt the Hindraf cause and the freedom of the ISA detainees were not on PR’s priority list.
"Mano (Manoharan) is disappointed that Hindraf issues that were promised to be looked into by the opposition seemed to be done half-heartedly," the source told The Edge Malaysia today.
However, the source pointed out that the Kota Alam Shah assemblyman was not an unreasonable person who looked only at his own and Hindraf’s interests, stressing that the 48-year-old lawyer who stood under a DAP ticket in the previous general election was also concerned with the party’s credibility if he were to resign.
"With strong support from Hindraf, DAP and Pakatan leaders for him (Manoharan) to stay on, Mano is very likely to remain as assemblyman," he said, adding that Manoharan’s detention should not be in vain.
Manoharan will only make an official announcement on his seat after a meeting with DAP chairman Karpal Singh on May 19. If Manoharan were to resign, it would pave the way for the seventh by-election after the March 8, 2008 general elections.
He added that Manoharan understood PR had been busy with by-elections and trying to resolve some internal issues lately, but also wanted Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to provide assistance in serving the Kota Alam Shah voters.
Currently, Pandamaran assemblyman Ronnie Liu is helping Manoharan’s constituency on an informal basis.
"I really wouldn’t know. We have not been able to see him (Manoharan)," said DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang when asked to comment on the possibility of Manoharan’s resignation.
Lim said should Manoharan be freed, it should be without conditions in order for him to have the freedom of movement to serve his constituents and attend state legislative assembly sittings.
Meanwhile, Selangor senior state executive councillor Teresa Kok confirmed that DAP is coming up with a petition to free Manoharan, which would be announced at a press conference Tuesday.
Manoharan has been detained under the ISA since December 2007 but managed to contest and win the Kota Alam Shah seat in last year's general election after defeating Barisan Nasional’s Ching Su Chen by a 7,184 majority.
It is learned that the ISA Advisory Board, which sits at least once every six months, would meet later this month to review any detention orders. However, the board’s recommendations submitted to the Minister of Home Affairs are not binding.
A source said the first-term assemblyman was unhappy with the lacklustre effort by PR in the past year to pressure the federal government in releasing in particular the Hindraf 5, adding that the Hindu movement had fought tooth and nail to help the opposition record unprecedented results in the 12th general election.
He said while Manoharan’s legal practise and constituency’s service centre operations were among his concerns, the major factor that triggered his intention to resign was that he felt the Hindraf cause and the freedom of the ISA detainees were not on PR’s priority list.
"Mano (Manoharan) is disappointed that Hindraf issues that were promised to be looked into by the opposition seemed to be done half-heartedly," the source told The Edge Malaysia today.
However, the source pointed out that the Kota Alam Shah assemblyman was not an unreasonable person who looked only at his own and Hindraf’s interests, stressing that the 48-year-old lawyer who stood under a DAP ticket in the previous general election was also concerned with the party’s credibility if he were to resign.
"With strong support from Hindraf, DAP and Pakatan leaders for him (Manoharan) to stay on, Mano is very likely to remain as assemblyman," he said, adding that Manoharan’s detention should not be in vain.
Manoharan will only make an official announcement on his seat after a meeting with DAP chairman Karpal Singh on May 19. If Manoharan were to resign, it would pave the way for the seventh by-election after the March 8, 2008 general elections.
He added that Manoharan understood PR had been busy with by-elections and trying to resolve some internal issues lately, but also wanted Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to provide assistance in serving the Kota Alam Shah voters.
Currently, Pandamaran assemblyman Ronnie Liu is helping Manoharan’s constituency on an informal basis.
"I really wouldn’t know. We have not been able to see him (Manoharan)," said DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang when asked to comment on the possibility of Manoharan’s resignation.
Lim said should Manoharan be freed, it should be without conditions in order for him to have the freedom of movement to serve his constituents and attend state legislative assembly sittings.
Meanwhile, Selangor senior state executive councillor Teresa Kok confirmed that DAP is coming up with a petition to free Manoharan, which would be announced at a press conference Tuesday.
Manoharan has been detained under the ISA since December 2007 but managed to contest and win the Kota Alam Shah seat in last year's general election after defeating Barisan Nasional’s Ching Su Chen by a 7,184 majority.
It is learned that the ISA Advisory Board, which sits at least once every six months, would meet later this month to review any detention orders. However, the board’s recommendations submitted to the Minister of Home Affairs are not binding.
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