Are you tired of MIC being the only authoritative political party for Indian Malaysians? Are you tired of Hindraf being the only voice for the social welfare of the Indians? Well, fret no longer, Manuel Lopez has an alternative.
Lopez, who was formerly a journalist for almost 40 years, today announced the formation of a new political party called the Malaysian Indian Democratic Action Front (Mindraf).
Mindraf, according to Lopez, is a party that he has been promoting for the past three years and currently has some 3,000 avid followers.
Lopez (left), 59, founder of the party, told a press conference that Mindraf's objective was not focussed on gaining any political mileage.
On the other hand, it would be service-orientated and concentrate on the settling issues affecting the Indian community.
"We have gone around the Peninsular except Kelantan and Terengganu and I have received good support. I already have a community service centre in Seberang Prai and have solved thousands of problems," he claimed.
Furthermore, he said that once there were established, they aimed to start off a service centre in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur and one in Ijok, Kuala Selangor.
"We are not looking for ministerial positions [...] we want to be the people's representation," said Lopez at the press meet held at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.
Mindraf, however, has yet to be registered with the Registrar of Societies. Lopez said he will only receive the full list of office-bearers in June and proceed with the registration process from then onwards.
‘Not here to defend themselves'
He added that he would be the pro-tem president of party and several close confidants, who had worked closely with him in forming the party, would hold the other senior positions.
"We want to work partly like a non-governmental organisation [...] but if we register as a political party we'll have more authority," said Lopez.
He also explained that the similarities in acronyms 'Mindraf' and 'Hindraf' was a ‘pure coincidence'.
Asked whether Mindraf had come to replace pivotal Indian-based parties such as the MIC and PPP which were almost annihilated in last year's polls, Lopez said: "I have no comments. It is not fair for me to criticise them when they are not here to defend themselves".
Quizzed on the relevancy of race-based political parties in today's atmosphere, he said: "It is healthier to take a non-communal stand but to do so, the whole political climate of our multi- racial nation must be cleared of the clouds of communalism".
"Maybe the people at large, when they become more right-thinking and rational, will understand that the vital issues of prosperity and well-being lie outside the narrow and nefarious alley of communalism.
"Until such time, communal parties representing the major races will continue to play their role," he stressed.
According to Lopez, Mindraf has thus far been operating on small scale and was being funded ‘by several good Samaritans'.
He claimed that said some members from the existing political parties had expressed their interest in Mindraf and were keen to join the party soon.
Lopez said that after obtaining registration, the party would take up four key issues with the newly-formed cabinet and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Similarity of aims
"Firstly, we will request for the release of the Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees particularly the three Hindraf leaders.
"Secondly, we will ask the government to appoint a commission of inquiry to look into the financial affairs of a several Indian cooperatives and companies which have collected millions from the community but have not delivered, " said Lopez.
Besides that, Mindraf would also urge the government to set up a task force within the National Registration Department to aid Indians without any identification or citizenship documents.
Lastly, Lopez said the party would also approach the Human Resources Ministry to look into the plight of contract workers (left) in the estates and construction sectors.
He said that the new government was reasonable and with the 'proper approach' their memorandum might be taken into consideration.
When asked as to the similarity of aims of Mindraf and other political entities such as PKR and PSM, Lopez maintained said the issues he outlined have not been solved and therefore there was no need for Mindraf to have a unique struggle.
He expressed confidence in Mindraf getting approval from the Registrar of Societies pointing out there were no ‘subversive elements' in the party.
Lopez, who was formerly a journalist for almost 40 years, today announced the formation of a new political party called the Malaysian Indian Democratic Action Front (Mindraf).
Mindraf, according to Lopez, is a party that he has been promoting for the past three years and currently has some 3,000 avid followers.
Lopez (left), 59, founder of the party, told a press conference that Mindraf's objective was not focussed on gaining any political mileage.On the other hand, it would be service-orientated and concentrate on the settling issues affecting the Indian community.
"We have gone around the Peninsular except Kelantan and Terengganu and I have received good support. I already have a community service centre in Seberang Prai and have solved thousands of problems," he claimed.
Furthermore, he said that once there were established, they aimed to start off a service centre in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur and one in Ijok, Kuala Selangor.
"We are not looking for ministerial positions [...] we want to be the people's representation," said Lopez at the press meet held at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.
Mindraf, however, has yet to be registered with the Registrar of Societies. Lopez said he will only receive the full list of office-bearers in June and proceed with the registration process from then onwards.
‘Not here to defend themselves'
He added that he would be the pro-tem president of party and several close confidants, who had worked closely with him in forming the party, would hold the other senior positions.
"We want to work partly like a non-governmental organisation [...] but if we register as a political party we'll have more authority," said Lopez.
He also explained that the similarities in acronyms 'Mindraf' and 'Hindraf' was a ‘pure coincidence'.
Asked whether Mindraf had come to replace pivotal Indian-based parties such as the MIC and PPP which were almost annihilated in last year's polls, Lopez said: "I have no comments. It is not fair for me to criticise them when they are not here to defend themselves".
Quizzed on the relevancy of race-based political parties in today's atmosphere, he said: "It is healthier to take a non-communal stand but to do so, the whole political climate of our multi- racial nation must be cleared of the clouds of communalism".
"Maybe the people at large, when they become more right-thinking and rational, will understand that the vital issues of prosperity and well-being lie outside the narrow and nefarious alley of communalism."Until such time, communal parties representing the major races will continue to play their role," he stressed.
According to Lopez, Mindraf has thus far been operating on small scale and was being funded ‘by several good Samaritans'.
He claimed that said some members from the existing political parties had expressed their interest in Mindraf and were keen to join the party soon.
Lopez said that after obtaining registration, the party would take up four key issues with the newly-formed cabinet and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Similarity of aims
"Firstly, we will request for the release of the Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees particularly the three Hindraf leaders.
"Secondly, we will ask the government to appoint a commission of inquiry to look into the financial affairs of a several Indian cooperatives and companies which have collected millions from the community but have not delivered, " said Lopez.
Besides that, Mindraf would also urge the government to set up a task force within the National Registration Department to aid Indians without any identification or citizenship documents.
Lastly, Lopez said the party would also approach the Human Resources Ministry to look into the plight of contract workers (left) in the estates and construction sectors.He said that the new government was reasonable and with the 'proper approach' their memorandum might be taken into consideration.
When asked as to the similarity of aims of Mindraf and other political entities such as PKR and PSM, Lopez maintained said the issues he outlined have not been solved and therefore there was no need for Mindraf to have a unique struggle.
He expressed confidence in Mindraf getting approval from the Registrar of Societies pointing out there were no ‘subversive elements' in the party.
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