Newly-released Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader M Manoharan today urged the authorities to lift the restrictions imposed upon him.

He made the call despite agreeing to sign the conditional release papers before being freed from detention under the Internal Security Act.

manoharan first visit to selangor state assembly building 110509 04 The 48-year-old DAP politician and Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson also made it clear that he would not be complying with the restrictions, contrary to what he had said immediately after his release on Saturday.

"The restrictions should be lifted immediately. Why embarrass themselves if no one wants to comply?" he asked.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Selangor state secretariat building in Shah Alam, Manoharan said the restriction orders impinged on the freedom of movement.

"You cannot restrict an individual from going from one place to another. It is against the constitution. They know it's against the constitution and any restriction is ultra vires of the constitution," stressed the lawyer.

Manoharan and two other Hindraf leaders P Uthayakumar and T Vasanthakumar were released on Saturday.

The trio and two others, V Ganabatirau and R Kenghaddharan, were arrested in December 2007 after staging a massive protest in Kuala Lumpur.

Ganabatirau and Kenghadharan were released in April.

'I want to be with the people'

In his conditional release order, Manoharan is expected to adhere to six conditions until Dec 13, 2009.

They include:

1) He must live within the Klang area

2) Not allowed to move to other places without written permission from the state police chief.

3) Not allowed to leave Klang without written permission from the state police chief.

4) Must constantly inform the police of his whereabouts.

5) Must report to the police station every Monday until Dec 13, 2009.

6) He must work to maintain peace and stability in the country.

However, Manoharan saw one of the conditions which required him to live in Klang as an advantage, saying: "That is exactly what I want to do."

"I want to be with the people. So as the Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson, I need to be in Klang and the restriction blends with what I wanted," he said.

Why should I get permission?

As a state assemblyperson who needs to travel constantly to Shah Alam whenever there is a state assembly sitting, Manoharan found no reason as to why he should get the police’s permission every time he wants to perform his duty.

"I will move to where my voters are, which is Klang... but why should I get their permission whenever I need to go to Shah Alam?

manoharan first visit to selangor state assembly building 110509 05 "(Even) This morning, I did not inform them, and I don’t have to. I am coming here to see the Speaker (Teng Chang Kim), to see (my fellow) YBs and step into the August House. Why must I inform them first?" he asked.

To a question on whether he would inform the police of his whereabouts in future, Manoharan replied that it would not be necessary for him to do so.

"Because the police will know where I will be - which is with the people. I am not going into hiding. So they should give me protection (instead of restrictions)," he said.

Manoharan further noted that his release clearly showed that he's not a threat to national security and so there is no need for restrictions.

Meanwhile, speaker Teng said the authorities should issue a restriction order against the state rep only if he is a criminal.

He added that the state assembly now is "complete" and Manoharan's return would strengthen Pakatan’s position in the state government.

To sue the government

In a related development, Manoharan is also planning to file an RM100 million suit against the Home Ministry, Kamunting detention camp and the federal government for his 18-month "unlawful detention".

He will also be seeking damages from Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail and Inspector-general of Police Musa Hassan for claiming that he had links with Sri Lankan rebel group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

According to him, the suit will be filed at Shah Alam High Court "next week".

He also said that he would be consulting the other Hindraf detainees before filing the suit.

"I will ask them if they would be interested in joining me," said Manoharan.