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Sunday 10 May 2009

MIC opens doors to Hindraf leaders

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 – The MIC has invited Hindraf leaders for possible talks and partnership for the sake of the Indian community. MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the Indian-based political party was also willing to consider views and suggestions by the movement on ways to improve the plight of the community.

He said the MIC was ready to hear concerns and suggestions of the Hindraf leaders on how they could work together for the benefit of the Indian interests.

Dr Subramaniam was speaking to reporters after officiating the National Temple Conference here today.

He was commenting on the statement by Hindraf founder P. Uthayakumar, who upon his release from detention under the Internal Security Act, said he would continue to fight for the Indian community which he alleged was marginalised.

Dr Subramaniam also invited Hindraf leaders to join the party, saying that since both of them shared a common goal of elevating the living standard of the community, they would be able to achieve the objective better if they worked as one.

“I am for a united Indian community, as we can see all the splintering in the group did not help the community,” he said, hoping that whatever bitterness existed previously would be done away with for the betterment of the Indian community.

Yesterday, Uthayakumar and two other Hindraf leaders M. Manoharan and K. Vasanthakumar who were held at the Kamunting detention camp since late last year, were released, together with 10 others detainees.

Earlier last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in his maiden speech, had announced the release of 13 ISA detainees, including two Hindraf leaders V. Ganabatirau and R. Kenghadharan.

Asked about the possibility of Hindraf leaders forming a new political party to serve its cause as the opposition parties, which it was currently allied to, had failed them, Dr Subramaniam said: “Now, they are an illegal movement. But it is their right and absolutely nobody can stop them if they want to form a political party, as long as they are following the proper process, and the decision is up to KDN (home ministry)”.

On another matter, Dr Subramaniam, who is also human resources minister, said he had not decided to contest the party’s No. 2 post, despite strong support, from both within and outside the party. – Bernama

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