[ Laman Ehwal Semasa ReformIS ]
Date: 02 Sep 1999
Time: 01:36:54
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Not with hypocrites, says MIC
By A. Letchumanan
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC is willing to co-operate with political parties which are genuine and sincere for the benefit of Barisan Nasional, its secretary-general Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar said yesterday.
"We don't wish to co-operate with hypocrites. On one hand they say they want to co-operate with us but on the other hand, they criticise us whenever they feel like it," he said.
Nijhar was commenting on Indian Progressive Front president M.G. Pandithan's decision to lodge a protest with Barisan Nasional president Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad after being snubbed by MIC.
MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had earlier rejected IPF's offer to campaign for the general election.
Pandithan said the IPF was not an opposition party but a friend of Barisan and deserved some respect from the component members.
Yesterday, Pandithan said IPF did not have an ulterior motive in offering to help secure votes for Barisan.
"He (Samy Vellu) should realise that every vote counts in an election and should not shoot off his mouth. This will only create ill-feelings," he said.
PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas said the gesture by Pandithan was in good faith and Samy Vellu should have politely accepted it.