SHAH ALAM, 30 April 2009: Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim described as “mere speculation” an online news report which states that Kota Alam Shah state assemblyperson M Manoharan is thinking of vacating his seat, thereby necessitating yet another by-election.
Khalid said the speculation could have been the result of heavy pressure on Manoharan’s wife, S Pushpaneela, who has had to fill the void as Manoharan is being detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
“There is mounting pressure on the assembly[persons] to improve services, but I understand that Manoharan’s wife has taken several assistants.
“It is mere speculation. Our assembly[persons] will have a meeting with [Manoharan’s] wife, who has dilligently done a good job. We should continue to support her in serving the people,” Khalid said here today.
The report, which quoted sources, said Manoharan was thinking of resigning as assemblyperson as he was dissapointed that he could not serve the voters.
Meanwhile, State Exco member and Selangor DAP committee member Ronnie Liu said he had contacted Pushpaneela, who was surprised by the report.
“As far as we are concerned, she has just increased her staff. There is no issue in Kota Alam Shah, so there’s no reason for Manoharan to resign,” Liu said.
Manoharan, the legal adviser for the banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), was detained under the ISA on 13 Dec 2007, along with four other leaders.
Two of them, lawyers R Kenghadharan and V Ganabatirau, were released on 5 April 2009 after Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was appointed prime minister. — Bernama
raguel says
Good thing she was not kidnapped yet . We appreciate Mano’s great sacrifice for lofty ideals. Hang in there, our hero!