PPP: Murugiah Vows To Fight Till The End

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk T. Murugiah Wednesday vowed that he would "fight till the end" to defend his post as the legitimate president of the People's Progressive Party (PPP).

He told Bernama that his election as president on May 24 was in accordance with the party's constitution and that he had submitted all the relevant documents to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) for verification.

Murugiah and PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas are embrolied in a tussle to control the party with each claiming to be the legitimate president.

The spat between the two personalities has split the party with each claiming support of the majority.

Murugiah claimed that almost 90 per cent of the party members were now supporting him and that he would meet leaders from 110 divisions tonight to discuss the latest development in the party. Kayveas has rubbished this claim.

Both factions have met the ROS to give their explanation.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday, the ROS office had still not completed its investigation.

The Kayveas faction is scheduled to hold its general assembly on Sunday and had invited Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to open the meeting.

However, Najib had indicated that he would attend only when the ROS had ascertained the true situation.

Meanwhile, PPP information chief Datuk Samson Maman, who is aligned to Kayveas, said preparations for the general assembly were in "full swing" with invitations being sent out to the VIPs and observers.

"We are meeting daily to plan every detail to ensure that the assembly proceeds smoothly," he said.

Murugiah said he had information that the Kayveas group was planning to bring in factory workers to fill the Putra World Trade Centre, the venue of the assembly.