Karpal will speak for Mano to set aside suspension

GEORGE TOWN: M Manoharan will get a big helping from none other than his mentor Karpal Singh when his appeal against his six-month suspension is heard during next Friday party central executive committee meeting.

“I will speak for him to set aside the suspension.

“He may have committed a serious mistake.

“But he has been a loyal party member,” said Karpal on Kota Alam Shah assemblyman Manoharan.

Manoharan has worked for 15 years as legal assistant for the DAP national chairman.

Karpal recalled that Manoharan and his family have suffered a lot when the assemblyman was detained under the draconian Internal Security Act in 2007 for his involvement with civil rights movement Hindraf.

Manoharan indeed won Kota Alam Shah in Selangor in last general election while he was still in Kamunting detention centre.

Karpal said Manoharan was in a way influential factor in wooing the Indian votes to DAP in 2008 election.

“We shall not forget about his contributions and sacrifices for the party,” he said.

On Sept 16, Manoharan posted on his Facebook account that the Jalur Gemilang should be modified as its current design resembled that of the Barisan Nasional flag.

He said it did not reflect Malaysia and went on to say that he had distributed the DAP flags instead of the national flag on Malaysia Day as he did not have the “heart” to wave the national flag.

He was suspended by the DAP disciplinary committee for six months over his statement, although he had apologised and retract it.

DAP disciplinary head Tan Kok Wai said Manoharan’s comments were unbecoming of an elected representative from the party.

Manoharan has appealed to overturn the decision.

Don’t blame political rivalry

Critics have said that rival internal forces were behind Manoharan’s instant suspension to deny him candidature in the next election.

But Karpal believes political rivalry was not the cause.

“The party would not be influenced by it.

“Manoharan’s appeal will be given fair and just consideration,” he assured.

On Lim Guan Eng’s Johor controversy, Karpal said the DAP secretary-general was not subjected to any internal disciplinary action because there had been no evidence yet to prove he had uttered such disparaging remarks.

He said Penang Chief Minister Lim had stated that he was still looking for evidence to prove that he had condemned Johor as a crime prone state.

Karpal denied the party was practising double standards in dishing out punishment on members’ misconduct.

He insisted that even top party leaders, including Lim, would be subjected to disciplinary action if he was found guilty of any wrongdoings.

Last night Lim told PAS 60th anniversary forum that he apologised to the Sultan of Johor because he did not want he or his party to be seen as against the ruler and people.

But he neither confirmed nor denied that he had condemned Johor during a private luncheon organised by the Foreign Correspondents Association of Singapore on Aug 12.

He said he would sue media groups responsible in creating the fiasco, as he has already sent legal notice against Bernama pertaining to it.