Committee chairperson and DAP vice-chairperson Tan Kok Wai announced this after a marathon session of the disciplinary body at party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.
When contacted, Manoharan (right) said he will appeal the decision and declined further comment.
“He is suspended for six months with immediate effect, for making a statement that is improper and unbecoming of a party standard bearer and an assemblyperson,” said Tan in a press conference after the nearly four-hour meeting.
He said that the committee, which met from 3pm to nearly 7pm, felt that this was the proper punishment for the errant party leader.
While Maoharan had removed his offending remarks and made an open apology, the committee feels that his offence is a grave matter that demands punishment.
The Kota Alam Shah representative was called before the committee to tender his defence today but had refused to appear, leaving it to the wisdom of the party body to judge him.
Manoharan posted a message on his Facebook page prior to Malaysia Day saying that instead of the Jalur Gemilang he will be distributing the DAP flag on the national holiday as he felt that the national flag represents the BN.
This triggered a backlash from Netizens and from politicians across the political divide who chastised him for his comments.
The state assemblyperson has since removed his comments and left a apology on his Facebook page.
He will have 14 days to appeal his sentence to the party central executive committee.
During the suspension, Manoharan will cease to be a DAP member and lose all rights and priveleges accorded to his party station.
However, he will remain Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson and is expected to carry out his duties as per normal in serving his constituency.
His party membership will automatically be reinstated after six months.
Tan added that Manoharan's statements were in no way a reflection of the patriotic spirit that the DAP has always and shall continue to uphold.
Four suspended over misappropriations
In a related development, the committee also slapped Bentayan assemblyperson Gwee Tong Hiang and three others from the party's Bakri division in Johor with a six month suspension, this time for misappropriating party funds.
Gwee and the trio had apparently purchased a second-hand four-wheel-drive Mitsubishi Storm and registered the vehicle under a company he has an interest in, despite the vehicle being bought with party funds.
The matter was brought to the party's attention by two branches from Bakri.
The vehicle has since been transferred to a DAP trust as of yesterday.
The four will also have 14 days to appeal their sentence to the CEC.
Tan stressed that the party does not deserve the trust and support from the rakyat if they are not disciplined and as such require the utmost exemplary behaviour from the members and especially party leaders and elected representatives.
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