TAIPING: ISA detainee M. Manoharan has pledged to continue to raise matters of public interest and fight for justice for all, irrespective of race and religion without fear or favour.
He made the pledge after being sworn in as a Selangor state assemblyman before Speaker Teng Chang Khim at the Kamunting detention centre Thursday.
Manoharan was among five Hindraf leaders detained last December for a two-year period under the Internal Security Act.
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by, among others, Manoharan’s wife S. Pishapaneela, their three children – twins Hariharan and Shivaranjini, 11, and Ganendra, nine, – and Manoharan’s father M.S. Malialam.
The 10-minute ceremony, which started at 9am, was also witnessed by Selangor state legal adviser Datin Paduka Zauyah Be T. Loth Khan and legal advisers from the Home Ministry and the Prisons Department.
In a statement made available to reporters three hours later, Manoharan thanked Teng for making the swearing-in ceremony possible despite of his detention and said the presence of his wife, children and father had made “my detention here less painful”.
“Today is not only a beginning for me, being officially declared a Selangor state assemblyman, but also in the war against discrimination and marginalisation,” he said in the statement which his wife read out in the presence of DAP chairman Karpal Singh.
Manoharan said he was touched by the overwhelming support of Kota Alam Shah voters, adding that the majority he obtained in the March 8 polls was among the highest recorded for a state seat.
He said his Kota Alam Shah service centre was manned by able and dedicated staff members and was ready to serve the public.
Karpal Singh called on the Home Ministry to accept the verdict of the people who voted for Manoharan with a big majority and to release him together with the other four Hindraf leaders detained.
To a question, Teng said Manoharan would not be disqualified for not being present at state assembly sittings as he could apply for leave.
Manoharan has submitted 10 questions for the first session of the state assembly commencing on May 22.
Raslan Baharom
Star Online
PEOPLE'S POWER
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