Former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Kepong Division head, S Nalakarupan today announced the formation of the new Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP).

The businessman, who is better remembered as former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's ex-tennis buddy, vowed to recruit some 20,000 members within three to four months.

Below are some reactions from various political figures on their thoughts of the new party.

S Arutchelvan, pro-tem secretary-general of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)

Forming a political party is their inherent rights. But I feel that a party representing only a particular race is not good for racial integration.

I don't see how the formation of MIUP would help integrate races in a country where racial polarisation is pervasive.

We also questioned how the Registrar Of Societies had legitimised the formation of MIUP so quickly when our party has been denied legal recognition even after nine years of persistence.

I feel that the legitimisation of MIUP is politically motivated.

Dr Xavier Jeyakumar, supreme council member of PKR

It's a free society, anyone can form a party but if you look at the masses, they want a multi-racial party where all races are included in the decision-making process.

The formation of MUIP does not bode well for racial unity and we can see this reflected in other race-based Indian parties like MIC and so on.

Having a race-based party will not benefit, instead it will divide society further. We should fight as Malaysians and not as a particular race.

M Kulasegaran, Member of Parliament from DAP

I wish him well. It was sad that he left PKR. I hope the newly formed party will stay as an opposition party. We should seek a common ground to solve issues.

I know him well, I don't think his party will weaken the support of the Indian community towards DAP as he has his own kind of supporters.