Makkal Sakthi, IPF guarded over merger talks

MMSP's president RS Thanenthiran wants the focus to be on the Indian community whereas IPF's M Sambanthan says no to dissolving his party.

PETALING JAYA: MIC president G Palanivel mooted the idea of all Indian based parties merging to be one united entity but it received lukewarm response today.

The three concerned parties are the Malaysia Makkal Sakthi Party (MMSP), Indian Progressive Front (IPF) and People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

MMSP president, RS Thanenthiran welcomed the proposal with some reservation.

“People must come first, not the party or the party leaders. The end beneficiary must be the Indian community,” said the former Hindraf activist.

Yesterday, MIC president Palanivel, who is also Natural Resources and Environment Minister, announced the possibility of merging all four parties into one.

“The proposal for the merger of these parties was raised at the meeting of the MIC central working committee on Friday.

“I will share the proposal with the other political parties representing the Indian community in the near future,” said Palanivel yesterday.

Palanivel however did not delve into the details of the merger.

Thanenthiran also said that he had not received any formal invitation to discuss the matter since the final decision would be taken after a study and consulting his party’s central committee and members.

“While we welcome the move from MIC, we have not received an invitation letter from the party,” he added.

Indian Progressive Front president, M Sambanthan meanwhile told FMT that his party has been having a good working relationship with the MIC.

“We are already having a good relationship with MIC and welcome the cooperation but we will not allow IPF to join the MIC,” said Sambanthan.

Sambanthan’s apprehension stems from the fact that IPF has not been able to obtain a full membership in the BN coalition for more than 20 years due to MIC being a stumbling block during former MIC president S Samy Vellu’s time.

PPP chief M Kayveas could not be reached for comment at press time.