MIC snubs Najib-Hindraf talk

Denying that Najib has lost confidence in MIC, Palanivel claims that the people are returning to MIC’s fold.

PETALING JAYA: MIC president G Palanivel was today left unimpressed that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has bypassed his party to approach harsh government critic Hindraf on a talk of issues plaguing the Indian community.

He also shunned the idea that such talk was a sign of the premier’s deteriorating confidence on MIC.

“Let it be within the PM and Hindraf. I don’t worry about (PM’s) confidence, MIC’s support has increased a lot among the public.

“I don’t worry what the Hindraf and PM are talking about. I am not going to interfere,” he said when met by reporters after a Deepavali celebration here today.

Palanivel’s comment came amid an announcement made by Minister of Prime Minister Department Nazri Abdul Aziz on Wednesday that Najib has invited Hindraf and other Indian groups for a discussion.

Yesterday, Hindraf cast aspersions on the sincerity of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s invitation, saying that it could be related to the general election. However it was willing to talk to the government for the sake of the Indian community.

Keeping mum on Batu Caves project

Meanwhile, the MIC president dodged questions on the 29-storey condominium project near Batu Caves Hindu temple, two weeks after Pakatan Rakyat leaders showed evidence that MIC councillors were involved in approving the project in 2007.

“No, we have already settled it now. Let me make no further comment on that. Now its Deepavali time, don’t talk about Batu Caves at the moment,” he said.

When asked again about his earlier call for a nationwide protest against Pakatan-led Selangor government, he replied: “We will be settling it. You don’t stir up a lot of things now.”

The Minister in Prime Minister Department also hit out at DAP for “talking rubbish” over its allegation that MIC has politicised the Deepavali celebration by using the Batu Caves temple to host its open house.

“We have been doing (open house) for so many years, and most of the time it was the people and not party members who come.

“DAP got no other works to do, they are jobless,” he said.

Palanivel also said that the Indian sentiment towards BN has greatly improved since 2008 as Najib was resolving many issues plaguing the community.