Samy Vellu To Consult MIC Members On BN Open Membership Proposal

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) - MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu on Sunday maintained that the party was not against the Barisan Nasional's (BN) proposed open membership system but stressed that he would still have to gauge the feelings of party members on the proposal.

He said the MIC, being the third largest BN component party, did not object to the proposal mooted by Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the BN Supreme Council meeting on Feb 19.

"The prime minister wants to further strengthen the BN, and we will back him in his efforts. However, we have to know what our members feel and think about the proposal," he told reporters before handing out diplomas to the party's TAFE College students here today.

Najib proposed the move to allow individuals and non-governmental organisations friendly to the BN to be part of the BN in a move to strengthen the coalition, especially to face the next general election.

Samy Vellu said a sub-committee headed by him would be formed to study the proposal.

"The matter will also be discussed at the MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting so that we can get a collective view on the matter. There may be differences in opinion and we have to come to a consensus," he said.

He said the party's views and recommendations would then be submitted to a committee formed by the BN Supreme Council and headed by Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to study the proposal.

"This proposal has to be deliberated and studied carefully by the respective component parties. The important thing is to get the feedback of their (respective) members. This is what we will do," he said.

Samy Vellu said the implementation of the proposal could not be rushed as time was needed to gauge the feelings of the members of the component parties.

The MIC chief said the party acknowledged the role of the NGOs, especially in mobilising the people's support for the BN.

"The MIC is already working closely with several NGOs and we have also formed consultative councils involving the MIC and NGOs in many states like in Perak and Johor," he said.

Samy Vellu said the MIC had also roped in the NGOs to discuss and make their recommendations on several issues affecting the Indian community such as the 10th Malaysia Plan.

On another matter, Samy Vellu urged school drop-outs and unemployed Indian youths to enlist with the various government-run skills training centres as some of the institutes have relaxed their entry requirements.

He said the MIC, with the cooperation of NGOs, would initiate more campaigns and publicity drives to recruit Indian youths to register with the institutes.

-- BERNAMA

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Kayveas Welcomes Proposal For Direct Entry Into BN

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama)-- People's Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk M. Kayveas on Sunday welcomed the proposal by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to open direct entry to individuals, political parties and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to join the Barisan Nasional (BN).

Kayveas said the proposal could further strengthen the BN besides uniting members of the component parties.

"The BN should become one party, I welcome the Prime Minister's suggestion for the direct membership to all individuals, political parties and NGOs under BN to strengthen the unity between members of the party," he said at a media conference after a meeting of the PPP Supreme Council, here.

He said the proposal would also unite the minority groups such as the Indians who were divided due to the existence of many parties in the country.

Meanwhile, Kayveas said the PPP Supreme Council meeting today focused on efforts to update membership in its 3,857 branches throughout the country besides registering those who were eligible to vote.

The PPP now has 577,000 members in 154 divisions nationwide.