We’re not afraid of working with PAS, says new Indian party

 

The Malaysian Indian People’s Party will submit its application to join Perikatan Nasional this week.

PETALING JAYA: Despite non-Malays’ rejection of PAS due to controversial statements made by its leaders, the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) says it does not fear working with the Islamic party under Perikatan Nasional (PN).

MIPP president P Punithan told FMT that PAS was the victim of negative narratives played up by its rivals, and that every party had members who made insensitive statements.

“We are not afraid of PAS. The government of the day is just afraid of the wave of support for PN, victimising PAS by inciting non-Muslims into hating them,” he claimed.

It is understood that MIPP, which was established four years ago, will submit its application to join PN this week, seeking to strengthen the coalition’s support among Indian voters.

In January, Gerakan president Dominic Lau reportedly said non-Muslims were concerned about several statements made by PAS leaders, affecting PN’s ability to woo non-Malay voters.

Several months later, Lau distanced himself from PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s claim that non-Malays and non-Muslims were the “biggest plunderers”, saying it did not represent PN’s overall stand.

Hadi’s remark drew brickbats as several quarters, including former DAP leader P Ramasamy, accused the Marang MP of being racist. PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli also claimed that PAS’s rising support was thanks to its racist rhetoric.

But Punithan argued that PAS’s involvement in the federal government for 33 months from 2020 to 2022 – and its administration of Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan and Perlis – proved that the party was not racist.

The former Selangor MIC Youth chief said PAS’s actions were only part of fulfilling the mandate given by its voters, the bulk of whom are Malay.

“PAS speaks up for the Malays and Muslims because the majority of its supporters come from the Malay community. It’s not racist for PAS to defend their rights.

“If I represented the Indian community, I would defend it to death. Does that make me a racist?”

Punithan also claimed that a prominent and influential figure from the Indian community was set to join his party, and expressed confidence that this person would be able to boost PN’s support among Indian voters.

He did not disclose the identity of the person but only said: “When the time comes, we’ll announce.” - FMT