S'gor: All, but Hindraf leader, sworn in...

Source : M'Kini

All Selangor state assemblypersons were sworn in today at the state’s Dewan Undangan Negeri in Shah Alam with the exception of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader and Kota Alam Shah state assemblyperson K Manoharan.

Manoharan is currently undergoing a two-year detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

To compensate for his absence, newly appointed Dewan Undangan Negeri Speaker Teng Chang Khim said Manoharan’s detention will not affect his formal appointment.

"There has been a precedent where the swearing in process was brought to the Kamunting detention camp so there should not be a problem with doing it for Manoharan," explained Teng to reporters after the swearing in ceremony for the 55 representatives.

Manoharan was arrested on Dec 13 with four others shortly after the Nov 25 rally organised by Hindraf which drew some 30,000 people to the streets.

His detention however does not legally affect his position as a state representative as there are no written laws to stipulate that an ISA detainee cannot continue to perform his or her duties while being detained.

Teng then elaborated by referring to a case in 1978 where two DAP elected MPs Chan Kok Kit (Sungai Besi) and Chian Cheng Kai (Batu Gajah) were both sworn in as MPs while serving their ISA detention. Both Chan and Chian were accused of disrupting national security.

Mano to swear in only when ready

There was a different opinion on the same matter however coming from Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.

Manoharan will only swear in once he is ready, said Khalid. Asked what he meant by this, he replied that Manoharan "will be sworn in as Adun (state assemblyperson) in the Dewan."

Continuing, Khalid said Pakatan Rakyat has and will continue to push for Manoharan’s ISA charged to be dropped so that he can serve his constituents but conceded that the matter was beyond the state’s jurisdiction.

"This matter is a federal level matter and there is only so much we can do as to only try and urge the federal government to drop the charges against Manoharan," he said.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail told the country's highest court three weeks ago that the five activists should not be released as they are a threat to national security.

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar has said that Manoharan could be sworn in before the state Speaker at the Kamunting detention centre as this has been done in the past.

Cooperation with ex-BN leaders

On another matter, Khalid said that his government would not dismiss the possibility of working with former BN state leaders for the sake of the state's development and future.

Khalid however said the decision would depend on the state executive councillors, whether they would need the services of the individuals concerned.

"It depends on them, but we hope for strong cooperation among them so as to provide the best services possible, for the people.

"Change will take place as only those qualified and professional enough will be given the trust to carry out the tasks," he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony.

He said this in response to questions if Selangor would follow the lead of Pakatan Rakyat-led Penang to appoint former BN leaders to serve the state government.