BN ‘seriously considering’ IPF as member (updated)

By SA’ODAH ELIAS (The Star)

KUALA LUMPUR: After 20 years of unwavering support towards Barisan Nasional, it looks like the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) may finally become a full-fledged member of the coalition.

At Barisan’s supreme council meeting on Tuesday, coalition chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said that it would seriously consider IPF’s long-standing application to become a member, as well as applications from several other smaller parties.

According to Barisan secretary-general Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Abdullah made the statement in his opening remarks at the meeting, indicating that there was a very real possibility of IPF being accepted.

“I am looking forward to welcoming IPF who has always been our friend, as a mate soon,” Tengku Adnan said when opening IPF's 16th annual meeting here on Sunday.

IPF president Puan Seri Jayashree Pandithan in her policy speech said that the party would continue to support and help Barisan although its membership application had yet to be approved.

Tengku Adnan said Barisan has always been thankful for the support shown by IPF all these years, especially during general and by-elections.

Adnan said he did not see many difficulties for IPF to be accepted as a member since it has always shared and believed in the Barisan spirit.

“As Barisan and Umno secretary-general, I fully support IPF’s application,” he added.

Earlier, the party’s AGM was marred by a ruckus involving a group of former members who were sacked for allegedly breaching the party’s Constitution, and their supporters.

The group, numbering between 100 and 200, had tried to force its way into the hotel where the meeting was taking place, while another group of members tried to block them.

There was pushing and shoving, prompting some members to call the police. The altercation ended about 45 minutes later following the arrival of several trucks of anti-riot police personnel.

Early this month, a group of the party leaders from Perak, led by assistant treasurer T. Thamothran, had lodged a police report against Jayashree, claiming she had acted beyond her powers as acting president.

The group, representing 20 of the 23 IPF divisions in the state, claimed that Jayashree had taken over the powers of party president when she was only an appointed acting president.

Several party’s members in Penang had also lodged similar reports.