DAP should seriously consider nominating Hindraf ISA detainee, M Manoharan, as one of the DAP’s parliamentary candidates for the coming general elections for the following reasons.

1. Hindraf has been instrumental in the political awakening of Indian Malaysians and Manoharan is their legal advisor. Opposition parties should consolidate the support of all Indians Malaysian in their just fight for equal and fair treatment for all Malaysians regardless of race, culture and religion.

This can be done by selecting one of Hindraf’s prominent members to stand in te elections especially now that the unjust ISA law has been used to silence their peaceful protest.

2. As former Selangor DAP Chairman, Manoharan is well-known within the party and now widely know to all Malaysians as a symbol for the struggle for justice. He was unsuccessful in the previous general elections when he contested as a DAP parliamentary candidate.

3. DAP had been successful in getting two MPs elected to Parliament in the seventies while they were held under ISA detention. They were Chan Kok Kit and Cheng Heng Kai. DAP should be quite able get another MP elected now by nominating yet another ISA detainee.

4. By nominating an ISA detainee, the DAP and the opposition would highlight the injustice done to ISA detainees by the BN government.

DAP can decide which constituency Manogaran should contest. It could be the previous constituency (Segambut) or he could even contest in Sg Siput against the aging MIC leader, S Samy Vellu.