Malaysian Hindraf appealed NRI M. Manoharan to stay on as assemblyman

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, May 04, 2009
Sampuran Singh

NRI Legal advisor to Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf), M Manoharan, 47, has set May 19 to resign from assembly seat. He belongs to Democratic Action Party (DAP). DAP chairman Karpal Singh visited Manoharan at Kamunting and said, a final decision would only be made on May 19.

M Manoharan was arrested in November 2007, because he had helped the organization for rally . He is one of the three Hindraf leaders serving two years jail terms under ISA (Internal Security Act). Hindraf is representing for Malaysia’s two million NRIs, mostly Tamil Hindus.

Manoharan won assembly seat in March 2008 general election, even he was in jail. Now he feels guilty because he is unable to serve his people and his constituents. This is the reason he like to resign

He said:

• I have to consider resigning, paving the way for a by-election in order for my constituents to re-elect their new representative, who will be better able to serve them and who will be able to attend all the sittings of the Selangor Legislative Assembly.
• I have written a letter to former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, three to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, eight to former home minister Syed Hamid Albar and two to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

The home minister rejected his applications to attend the state assembly sitting and his plea for release. Ean Yong Hian Wah, Selangor DAP chairman said the DAP hope that Manoharan would not resign.

Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy said, “We urge the Pakatan coalition to urgently file a motion to debate the inability of a democratically elected representative to serve his constituents and (at least) stage a walkout should their motion to debate be refused.”

In Feb. 2008, Police fired teargas and chemical-laced water cannons in a bid to disperse some 300 Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters gathered for a peaceful rose handing-over ceremony at Jalan Raja Laut.The Hindraf event was initially scheduled to be held at Parliament gates where 200 children were to hand over roses as a peaceful gesture requesting that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to heed the group’s 18-point demands.

The roads leading to Parliament were closed to prevent the group from going there then led them to change the venue to Jalan Raja Laut in the city centre. About 200 people had been arrested including Hindraf’s rose campaign coordinator S Manickavasagam and popular blogger B Mahendran.

Women and children were also detained.

On Fe. 27, 2008, P. Waytha Moorthy, Chairman, HINDRAF in London said, HINDRAF is disappointed with the decision of the High Court. Once again the Malaysian Judiciary has failed to uphold principles enshrined in the Federal constitution and unjustly denied the 5 their freedom.Our struggle for their release and the 18 demands would continue with worldwide protest.

• M. Manoharan of Democratic Action Party (DAP) & Legal advisor to banned outfit Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf),
• Manoharan won the seat on a DAP ticket in Election 2008, even in jail, but said, he would decide on May 19 whether to remain as assemblyman.