SHAH ALAM, 8 July 2009: Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson M Manoharan, who made his debut at the Selangor state assembly sitting today after his release from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in May, said he was happy and excited to play his role as representative of his constituency.
He was elected to the seat in the 8 March general election last year while under ISA detention and missed the earlier sittings.
Manoraharan was, however, unhappy to see his comrade, assembly Speaker Teng Chang Khim (DAP-Sungai Pinang), wearing the songkok at the sitting.
He told reporters that although he knew that Teng had to wear the songkok in his official capacity, he was not happy with the wearing of songkok because non-Malay [Malaysians] have not been given bumiputera status.
He said if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was serious about the concept of 1Malaysia, he should consider giving non-Malay [Malaysians] born after Independence bumiputera status. — Bernama
