[ Laman Ehwal Semasa ReformIS ]
Date: 01 Sep 1999
Time: 04:40:28
Remote User: -
IPF to complain over snub from Samy Vellu By A. Letchumanan KUALA LUMPUR: The Indian Progressive Front (IPF), reeling from the snub by MIC president Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, intends to protest to Barisan Nasional president Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Its president M.G. Pandithan said the MIC chief had angered IPF members by saying that the party did not need the help of IPF in the campaign for the coming general election.
"This is clearly not in the spirit of Barisan. This smacks of arrogance and should not be condoned. We are not an opposition party but a friend of Barisan and we deserve respect from the component members," he said in an interview.
Last week, Samy Vellu said MIC did not need support and co-operation from the IPF or the People's Progressive Party (PPP) in the general election.
Pandithan said he wanted Barisan and Umno, which he claimed had confidence in IPF, to take a stand to appease its members who were upset.
He said the IPF did not have any ulterior motive but had offered to co-operate as a sincere gesture to ensure that the Indian votes were solidly behind Barisan.
"He (Samy Vellu) should realise that every vote counts in an election and should not shoot his mouth," he said.
Pandithan said that it was no secret that the Indian votes swung against the Barisan when IPF was in the opposition in 1990 but came back when IPF supported the ruling party in the 1995 election.
"IPF has already pledged its support for Barisan. If MIC does not want our help, then we will help the other component members in Barisan," he said.
PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas said Samy Vellu should have politely declined the gesture instead of running down IPF and PPP.
"Samy Vellu's statement is in contrast to the calls by Dr Mahathir who had constantly urged the Indians to back Barisan for the coming elections," he said.