Subra tells IPF to stop using MIC as 'bait'

 

The pro-BN Indian party Indian Progressive Front (IPF) was told told by MIC deputy president Dr S Subramaniam to stop using the MIC as a "bait" for its own political mileage.

Subramaniam said IPF president M Sambanthan's statement during the recent IPF annual assembly that was attended by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was "unwarranted".

Sambanthan had, at the assembly,  asked for IPF to be registered under the BN coalition and had also requested positions for IPF leaders in the government ranks.

However, Subramaniam said MIC remains firm in that it will not allow IPF to join the BN coalition.

'MIC has been consistent in its stand'

"MIC has always been consistent in its stand that we will never allow the entry of another Indian-based political party into the BN coalition," he said.

The entry of another Indian party into BN, he said, would not increase the bargaining power of the Indian community but would instead weaken it.

"We will become victims of a divide-and-rule policy that will further entrench divisions in the community," he said.

Subramaniam also reminded IPF of MIC's "goodwill" in helping the former MIC splinter party when it faced financial difficulties several years ago.

"Please don't forget the past and give value to the goodwill that we have shown all these while," he added.

Sambanthan's call for acceptance into the BN comes at a time when MIC president G Palanivel's leadership is openly questioned.

The party has been ordered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to re-elect all but its top two posts due to irregularities in the last party leadership election in 2013.

Najib, who attended the IPF assembly for the maiden time, called on all Indian parties that support BN to consolidate as there are many Indian parties attempting to represent the community, which makes only 7.5 percent of Malaysia's population.