Mano: I didn’t condemn Jalur Gemilang

Kota Alam Shah assemblyman Manoharan says the suggestion that the Malaysian flag be changed was his personal opinion and had nothing to do with Pakatan Rakyat.

PETALING JAYA: DAP’s embattled Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M Manoharan was made to eat humble pie when his “demeaning” comments on the Malaysian flag on his Facebook went viral.

Today, he said he has apologised and removed the suggestion to modify the national flag from his Facebook. He also said the suggestion was his personal stand and had nothing to do with Pakatan Rakyat.

“It is my personal stand, not Pakatan’s. I don’t know about Pakatan’s stand,” said the first-term state assemblyman.

On Malaysia Day last Thursday, Manoharan wrote in his Facebook that the flag – Jalur Gemilang – should be modified as its current design resembled Barisan Nasional’s flag and did not reflect Malaysia.

He added that he had distributed DAP flags in his constituency on Malaysia Day as “he did not have the heart” to wave the national flag.

Since then, Manoharan has come under heavy criticism from BN politicians, including from Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

Apart from urging the police to take action against the DAP assemblyman, many BN politicians have also tied Manoharan’s comment as being Pakatan’s official stand. Pakatan leaders have insisted that Manaoharan only made a personal remark.

“I only suggested, not condemned, the national flag,” Manoharan said today when contacted.

Sink or swim with DAP

On another development, Manoharan expressed his wish to be retained as a candidate for the Kota Alam Shah seat.

“I am working hard to be retained in this seat. I don’t see any reason why I should be dropped,” he said.

When asked whether he would stand as an independent candidate if dropped, he said: “I will sink or swim with the DAP.”

There are rumours that he will not be retained for the general election as he is seen more as a Hindraf representative than a DAP man.

“I hope that the central leadership would understand my predicament,” said Manoharan who shot to fame via the Hindraf movement in 2008.

He also denied rumours that he would be joining the MIC which he called a sinking ship.