A Penang Gerakan branch leader is set to lead about 5,000 Indian members out of the party this month and join the soon-to-be launched P Uthayakumar's Human Rights Party (HRP).
Batu Kawan branch chief V Sivaperumal claimed the inevitable exodus of Indians from Gerakan would cripple the party at its core.
He claimed that eight Indian-dominated Gerakan branches in Penang would 'close-shop' while at least 40 other branches would be starved of grassroots supporters when the Indian members join HRP en bloc.
He also plans to lead a bus load of his supporters to join the Hindraf leader's official launching of HRP on Sunday July 19 in Klang.
"Indians in Gerakan are bitter with the racial discrimination in the party," he said, when asked for the reason for them to hop parties.
Sivaperumal (above) slammed Gerakan chairperson Dr Teng Hock Nan for sidelining and isolating Indian members from mainstream party politics in the state.
He said Gerakan had been using Indians for a cosmetic multi-racial outlook.
Uthaya's party an ideal choice
Accusing Gerakan of mistreating Indian members politically over the years, he pointed out that they were not even given a state assembly seat to contest in the last general election.
He said Gerakan's Indian members in Penang have lost faith in their party and the BN coalition to uplift their standard of living.
He explained that Gerakan Indian members did not hop over to other parties even though they were discriminated for years.
"It was long time coming. Indian members could not find an ideal alternative political party. Now at least HRP provides us an ideal vehicle," he said.
Sivaperumal was among three Gerakan branch leaders who lashed out at the leadership for suspending vice president Huan Cheng Guan (right) for three years.
He also chided the current DAP-dominate Pakatan Rakyat state government for emulating the previous Umno-dominated BN government in marginalising Indians in the state.
He cited the Kampung Buah Pala crisis as a fine example of discrimination against a minority community.
Kampung Buah Pala is famously known as 'Tamil High Chaparral' by locals due to its cowherds, cattles, goats and Tamil traditional way of life.
Lim using media divert attention
Sivaperumal said current Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng cannot go on blaming his predecessor Koh Tsu Koon, BN and lack of federal funding to shrug off his responsibilities in resolving the matter.
He said it was time for Lim to understand that the people voted out BN because they wanted a change in policies and actions.
Therefore, he said Lim should be pro-active in rectifying past mistakes and carry out people-orientated policies.
"He cannot keep on blaming others for everything... it's time for his government to deliver. He's already 15 months in power. He should talk less and work more," he told Malaysiakini.
He criticised Lim (left) of being sluggish and too politically-orientated in his handling of the Kampung Buah Pala crisis.
"Instead of talking to the villagers to understand their plight and resolve the crisis, he is using the media to play politics and divert attention.
"Lim should step aside if he cannot deliver and allow someone more capable to run the show," said Sivaperumal.
Batu Kawan branch chief V Sivaperumal claimed the inevitable exodus of Indians from Gerakan would cripple the party at its core.
He claimed that eight Indian-dominated Gerakan branches in Penang would 'close-shop' while at least 40 other branches would be starved of grassroots supporters when the Indian members join HRP en bloc.
He also plans to lead a bus load of his supporters to join the Hindraf leader's official launching of HRP on Sunday July 19 in Klang.
"Indians in Gerakan are bitter with the racial discrimination in the party," he said, when asked for the reason for them to hop parties.
Sivaperumal (above) slammed Gerakan chairperson Dr Teng Hock Nan for sidelining and isolating Indian members from mainstream party politics in the state.
He said Gerakan had been using Indians for a cosmetic multi-racial outlook.
Uthaya's party an ideal choice
Accusing Gerakan of mistreating Indian members politically over the years, he pointed out that they were not even given a state assembly seat to contest in the last general election.
He said Gerakan's Indian members in Penang have lost faith in their party and the BN coalition to uplift their standard of living.
He explained that Gerakan Indian members did not hop over to other parties even though they were discriminated for years.
"It was long time coming. Indian members could not find an ideal alternative political party. Now at least HRP provides us an ideal vehicle," he said.Sivaperumal was among three Gerakan branch leaders who lashed out at the leadership for suspending vice president Huan Cheng Guan (right) for three years.
He also chided the current DAP-dominate Pakatan Rakyat state government for emulating the previous Umno-dominated BN government in marginalising Indians in the state.
He cited the Kampung Buah Pala crisis as a fine example of discrimination against a minority community.
Kampung Buah Pala is famously known as 'Tamil High Chaparral' by locals due to its cowherds, cattles, goats and Tamil traditional way of life.
Lim using media divert attention
Sivaperumal said current Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng cannot go on blaming his predecessor Koh Tsu Koon, BN and lack of federal funding to shrug off his responsibilities in resolving the matter.
He said it was time for Lim to understand that the people voted out BN because they wanted a change in policies and actions.
Therefore, he said Lim should be pro-active in rectifying past mistakes and carry out people-orientated policies.
"He cannot keep on blaming others for everything... it's time for his government to deliver. He's already 15 months in power. He should talk less and work more," he told Malaysiakini.He criticised Lim (left) of being sluggish and too politically-orientated in his handling of the Kampung Buah Pala crisis.
"Instead of talking to the villagers to understand their plight and resolve the crisis, he is using the media to play politics and divert attention.
"Lim should step aside if he cannot deliver and allow someone more capable to run the show," said Sivaperumal.
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