Media Statement Charles Santiago in Klang on Friday, 4^th April 2008: 

Detention of Manoharan deprives democratic rights of Klang voters 

Klang Parliamentarian Charles Santiago strongly urges the BN federal government to release ISA detainee M. Manoharan elected as Kota Alam Shah State Assemblyman in the 12th general election, on 8th March 2008. All five Hindraf leaders were detained during Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi’s term as Internal Security Minister, it’s Abdullah’s responsibility now to release the 5 Hindraf leaders to portray a reformed cabinet.

The Klang community will be very upset if their elected representative with a 7000 strong majority will not be able to return and serve their community. The BN federal government has no right to ignore the community’s voice by continuing to detain their Assemblyman without trial and with no arbitrary reason; this very act has denied the principle of democracy.

Charles also rebutted Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam who has labeled Hindraf leaders as a national threat recently. What Hindraf has done is merely to fight for their basic religious and human rights that are guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, after a long period of marginalization by the failure of the formulated BN coalition government. Since Barisan Nasional component parties such as MCA and MIC key leaders have also called to release the five, BN government especially the Prime Minister should ‘listen to the reality’ and fulfill people’s demand to release the Hindraf leaders unconditionally.

Detention without trial deprives people's right to be on trial before the court, because one is innocent until one has been sentenced by a judge, that’s the spirit of law. Charles hopes PM Abdullah acknowledges that ISA has infringed fundamental human rights of detainees and to decisively release all 70 ISA detainees in Kamunting, it’s the AG Chamber’s right to charge them in court if they were found guilty through trial.

De facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim should not restrict himself in judiciary reform but also initiate human rights-approach law reform as well and abolishing ISA will be the most significant step.

---

* Charles Santiago, MP for Klang