PPP president M Kayveas has denied calling MIC - the largest Indian-based political party in the country - 'monkeys in a cage'.

Saying that he had never made the derogatory remark, the former deputy minister said certain quarters made up "a story to tarnish his image."

kayveas ppp pc 120308 straight "Where is the proof that I made the statement. I would say it is all hearsay... in fact I can sue those who issue public statements alleging that I made the remark," he told Bernama .

Yesterday, Vell Paari, a MIC vice-presidential aspirant and son of MIC president S Samy Vellu was reported to have asked Kayveas to provide an explanation to the party over the remark.

Paari had said that a former PPP grassroots leader confirmed that Kayveas had indeed made the remark at a PPP gathering a week ago.

'Clear Maika shares issue'

"That is also hearsay. He (Vell Paari) heard it from someone else. He should concentrate on his own party. Check your facts first before making unwanted statements.

"Clear the Maika (Holdings) share issue which had caused hardship to hundreds of Indians in the country. Now that is not a hearsay but a fact," Kayveas said.

Vell Paari, who is the CEO of Maika Holdings - MIC's debt-ridden investment arm - is making his foray into national politics and is expected to contest the vice-president post at the MIC elections slated for September.

Meanwhile, Kayveas said there had been many "rumours and allegations" made against him over the last month following his fallout with former PPP Youth chief T Murugiah, who is deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

"I can't say for certain who is going around creating these stories but I think we all know the prime suspect. I will not react unnecessarily but do not provoke me to react," he said.

'Don't jump at me'

In an immediate response, Vell Paari thanked the PPP president for clearing the air on the matter.

"I had only asked him to clarify based on a report in Tamil daily Makkal Osai on Sunday quoting former PPP supreme council member Dr N A Shanmuganathan.

vell paari vellpaari "If the statement was untrue, then Kayveas should initiate legal proceedings against Shanmuganathan and not jump at me for asking for a clarification," he said in a statement.

Vell Paari said he was merely exercising his duty as a responsible MIC member.

"As both MIC and PPP are component members of Barisan Nasional, I have to give him (Kayveas) due respect as being the president of PPP.

"I am happy with his reply and if there is any other clarification, I will bring it to the MIC president to deal directly with Kayveas," he added.

With regards to Maika Holdings, Vell Paari stressed that he is not running away from the issue and is working towards returning back the money to the shareholders.

"An announcement would be made soon," he said.