All restrictions imposed on ex-Internal Security Act detainee M Manoharan, including one that barred him from leaving the country, have been lifted with immediate effect.

The lifting of the restrictions has allowed Manoharan, who is DAP's Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson, to fly off to Tanzania for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference.

manoharan first visit to selangor state assembly building 110509 05 Manoharan left for the conference on Wednesday night along with Selangor state assembly speaker Teng Chang Khim and deputy speaker Haniza Talhar.

He was informed of the new status on Wednesday, just hours before he was about to defy the travel restrictions to leave for the conference.

"Three police officers came to my office in the afternoon and they told me that they have lifted all the restrictions imposed on me.

"They did not tell me why the sudden decision to lift all the restrictions.

"But this means I have been relieved of all conditions imposed upon my release from the ISA detention. I am thankful for that," he told Malaysiakini just before leaving for Tanzania on Wednesday night.

Previously, Manoharan had complained that he was not given a leave by Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar to leave the country to take part in the conference which attracts parliamentarians from all Commonwealth countries.

Thanks to Teng

Manoharan was detained under the ISA in December 2007 for taking part in Hindraf activities. He was released with conditions on May 9 this year.

manoharan first visit to selangor state assembly building 110509 04 Among the conditions attached to his release were that he could not travel outside his Klang district residential area and to report to a police station regularly.

Under the restrictions, he cannot move or leave for anywhere else without the written permission of the state police chief.

"In the first place, they should not have placed any restrictions on me. It is against the rule of natural justice to stop me from moving about.

"(But) now that all the restrictions have been lifted, I can move on to perform my duties as an elected representative even better," he said.

He thanked the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government for assisting him in various ways to perform his tasks as an elected representative under the restrictions.

"And I would like to express my gratitude to Teng especially for standing by me to get the restrictions lifted," he said.