Prominent Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth vice-chairperson S Manikavasagam tendered his resignation from his post yesterday over alleged interference from the party top brass.

In his resignation letter sent to PKR Youth chief Ezam Noor yesterday, Manikavasagam said that the latest incident occured when party secretary-general Kamarul Baharin ordered him to call off a press conference last week.

During the press conference, Manikavasagam ( right ) objected to the notion that race-based politics would be introduced in the party with the entry of wealthy businessman S Nallakarupan.

Met yesterday, Manikavasagam said Kamarul, as secretary-general of a party that expounds freedom and social justice, should not have interfered without first enquiring for details of the press conference.

"I have nothing against him (Kamarul). But the party should let the youth wing operate freely. We have our own secretary," he said.

He claimed that this was not the first time he was chided by Kamarul. Along with other party leaders and activists, Manikavasagam handed a memorandum to the King at Istana Negara last year urging a royal commission be set up to investigate the Kampung Medan racial clashes, a move which Kamarul also disapproved of.

Joining NGOs

Manikavasagam maintained that the press conference was important, as he and other grassroots leaders had been receiving many inquiries about a speculation by a Tamil daily that Nallakarupan would be 'taking over PKR's Indian division'.

"Since the party did not rebut the article, it was important for us to clear the air that there were no race-based sections in the party," he said. adding that he was disappointed that he was almost stopped from dispensing his duty.

Meanwhile, he vowed to continue serving the community in his capacity as PKR Kepong division deputy chief and his new roles in two NGO groups - Police Watch and Human Rights Committee and Hindu Rights Actions Force (Hindraf)

"I would not keep quiet. As an ordinary party member, I can voice up more," said the 41-year old entrepreneur.

Manikavasagam was heavily involved in issues pertaining to death under police custody and the campaign to claim G Francis Udayappan's body. He had served various positions in the party for eight years.

His resignation comes less that a week after Abdul Rahman Othman quit as party treasurer, following which the latter made scathing public attacks against the party leadership.