Kuala Lumpur: Ethnic Indian Malaysian parliamentarian M Manoharan, who is currently detained under the controversial Internal Security Act, may consider vacating his seat, his wife says.
Manoharan, who is the legal adviser of the banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), in a statement released by his wife S Pushpaneela, said he would announce his decision after meeting opposition DAP chairman Karpal Singh at the detention centre on May 19.
If Manoharan quits, it would result in yet another by-election, the seventh in the country in 14 months after the last year's general elections.
The Hindraf leader, who is under the ISI detention since December 2007 after the outfit organised anti-Government protests alleging marginalisation of the Indian community, cited his feelings of "guilt and inability" to serve his constituency as the main reasons for his decision.
"I have to consider resigning, paving the way for a by-election in order for my constituents to re-elect their new representative, who will be better able to serve them and who will be able to attend all the sittings of the Selangor Legislative Assembly," he said.
Manoharan also stated his disappointment as he had exhausted all avenues for his release.