Manoharan vows to go on with struggle

(NST) KLANG: Kota Alam Shah state assemblyman M. Manoharan said he would continue his fight for the people's rights, especially the Indians, even though it meant that he might be taken into custody again.

In his first public appearance after his release from the Kamunting detention centre on Saturday, he said he would also continue to campaign for the release of the remaining 14 Internal Security Act detainees and the abolition of the act.

"I want to go on with my struggle. It is a peaceful struggle and it will continue to be one. I am a lawyer. I could never be a threat to national security," he said at the Kota Alam Shah Mothers Day celebration here, yesterday.

On his restriction order, Manoharan said he was given only six minor restrictions.

"I have to stay in Klang. I was given two weeks to look for a house here. I also have to report at the police station every Monday between 8am and 5pm and be on good behaviour."

He also has to inform the police if he wanted to change address within Klang, to move out of here and to make any changes in the restrictions.

Manoharan said he was given a lot of flexibility as a state assemblyman.

"There is no such thing as not being able to give a political talk, say certain things or a curfew.

"The restrictions expire in about six months, on Dec 13, and then I'll be a free man."

Meanwhile, Bernama reports that Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the government did not expect P. Uthayakumar to say thanks for his release from detention under the ISA.

"I like to remind him that as a normal citizen free from the ISA, he is not immune to other laws," he said when commenting on Uthayakumar's statement that he would not thank the government for his release.