For some, 13 is considered an unlucky number but for former Internal Security Act detainee M Manoharan, it is the sacred number 13 that have given him the good, the bad and the ugly highlights of his life.

Today, the Kota Alam Shah state representative is finally back in the arms of his family after serving 513 days in Kamunting prison since Dec 13, 2007.

manoharan released from isa detention prison 090509 01 Now that those long detention days have passed, the lawyer who was born on Sept 13, 1961 and the 13th Selangor DAP assemblyperson, is set to continue with his life.

The father of three couldn’t be happier with his freedom and sees his return as a gift for his mother and his wife as tomorrow is Mother’s Day.

Manoharan, who arrived at his home in Bukit Kinrara, Puchong at around 7pm, was greeted by his daughter and two sons - all of them shouting “Papa! Papa!” at the top of their lungs.

However, he was not accompanied by his wife S Pushpaneela, who was waiting anxiously at the Klang police station, where he had to do some paper work before being allowed to go home.

When that was done, the police had unwittingly brought him out of the station through the building’s back entrance, while his wife was waiting for him at the front gate.

However, both husband and wife were reunited at their home half an hour later.

Speaking at a press conference, the practising lawyer said that her mother’s prayer “had been answered”.

manoharan released from isa detention prison 090509 06 “She also told me that I should not come out alone and asked me to come back (with other Hindraf leaders) together. I am thankful that we were all released today,” said Manoharan, whose mother N Letchumy, 70, was sitting next to him.

He was also flanked by his three children - 12-year-old twins Hariharan and Shivaranjini and 10-year-old Ganendra.

Manoharan is one of the three remaining Hindraf leaders released today at Kamunting - the others being P Uthayakumar and T Vasanthakumar.

Staying on as Kota Alam Shah representative

Describing his 18 months in detention as “miserable”, Manoharan however vowed not give up his struggle as “Indian Malaysians urgently need help”.

Now that he has been released, he would immediately get to work and give his best to serve his Kota Alam Shah constituents.

“I will make sure Kota Alam Shah residents have the best from me because they have lost 14 months of my service and my presence and voice in the Selangor state assembly,” he said.

kota alam shah selangor state seat 300409 Manoharan further noted that his intended resignation last Saturday could have “expedited” today’s release and did not rule out the possibility that the government would want to avoid another by-election.

Besides, he said, if a by-election were held following his resignation, “it would be the first seat that BN would lose its deposit” judging from the previous strong majority he had garnered in the last general election.

“But unfortunately or fortunately, that will not happen because I am not resigning,” he said.

Manoharan, who was composed and high spirited throughout the press conference, also praised his father MS Malayalan, 70, for bringing him up to be a good leader.

“My father has served the public throughout his year as a politician ... but he’s an MIC man and is still a branch leader and recently he was elected as a delegate ... but I was born to be an opposition member from the beginning,” said Manoharan, flashing a smile at his father.

Will comply with conditions

Despite the conditional release imposed upon the 48-year-old politician, Manoharan said he had no problems complying with the restrictions set by the Home Ministry.

manoharan released from isa detention prison 090509 02 The conditions, according to him, are:

1) He must live within Klang area - which is within the area of IPK Klang (district police station).

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) Need to constantly inform the police of his whereabouts.

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

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

However, Manoharan said his hardest task now would be rebuilding his career as a lawyer given that he would lose his practice in Kuala Lumpur as he and the family must move to Klang in two weeks' time.

“I had a very good law practice and the practice is gone. I have to start all over again and start afresh.

Nevertheless, he thanked those who had donated money to support his family after they ran into serious financial difficulties when he was held under detention.

“Without their donations, I couldn’t imagine how they would have survived. It was not easy as I am the sole breadwinner.

"I have lost 15kg, I have suffered enough. I missed my children. No father should go through this form of suffering in the future,” he said.