Govt denial to free Indian criticised

Kuala Lumpur, March 29: A Malaysian Opposition party on Saturday condemned the government’s refusal to release an ethnic Indian activist elected as a state legislator while in jail. M.Manoharan, a leader of the Hindu Rights Action Force, or Hindraf, was arrested shortly after his group organised a rally in November in which 20,000 Indians protested alleged government discrimination. He has been held since December under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

While behind bars, he contested the March 8 election as a member of the Democratic Action Party and won a seat in the Selangor state legislature. Despite Mr Manoharan’s win, home minister Syed Hamid Albar said the government cannot free him because he is still a security threat, the Star newspaper reported on Saturday.

"We have to give priority to public safety and peace and will give due consideration only if there is no threat to national security," Syed Hamid said. Lim Kit Siang, who heads the Opposition Democratic Action Party criticised the government’s decision. "It shows that the Cabinet is not listening to the people’s voice for change towards a more democratic, just Malaysian society," Mr Lim said. (AP)