Waytha’s forecast way off, say Indian parties

They are confident that Indians will support BN in GE14

PETALING JAYA: MIC and two other Indian-based parties have rejected a Hindraf prediction that Barisan Nasional’s alleged marginalisation of Indians will result in its losing the 14th general election.

Reacting to a statement by Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy, representatives of the three parties told FMT they believed the Indian community would continue to support BN.

MIC treasurer-general S Murugesan said Waythamoorthy was speaking as a man who had become bitter because the Indians had lost faith in him and deepened their trust in BN. “He’s eaten sour grapes,” he said.

He recalled that the Hindraf chief, in a statement issued prior to last May’s general election, had told the community their best chances were with BN.

He said Waythamoorthy should stop issuing press statements and concentrate his energies on finding ways to be of better service to the community.

S Nallakaruppan, who leads the BN-friendly Malaysian Indian United Party, said he was confident that BN would increase its majority in the next general election.

He said the Indians would increase their support for BN because they were aware that it had been addressing most of their problems.

In an interview with FMT yesterday, Waythamoorthy said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s failure to honour his agreement with Hindraf would cause BN to lose votes not only among Indians, but other Malaysian communities as well, including the Malays.

Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party, another BN-friendly organisation, said Waythamoorthy was being presumptuous. “He is not the kingmaker to decide on Indian vote distribution,” said the party’s president, RS Thanenthiran.

He said Indians could no longer be deceived by “old Hindraf tricks”.

He also said Najib had done more for Indians than Waythamoorthy had.