The MIC is not against the BN proposal to allow membership for friendly individuals, political parties and non-governmental organisations.

Rather, party president S Samy Vellu said, the party would assist and support Prime Minister and BN chairperson Najib Razak to strengthen the coalition.

NONE “The proposal to have direct membership will be discussed thoroughly by all component parties, in the spirit of mutual understanding and brotherhood,” he said today.

He was asked to comment on a news report , quoting political observers as saying the MIC would resist the proposal as the party would lose its 'monopoly' at the BN supreme council when Indian issues were involved - in the event other Indian-based political parties were allowed in.

Last Friday, Najib announced that the BN would amend its constitution to admit BN-friendly individuals, political parties and non-governmental organisations.

No such thing as rejection

Samy Vellu said the question of rejecting the proposal “never existed” and the party would continue to support any proposal to strengthen the BN.

“The prime minister wants to bring in people who support the BN. He is trying to rebuild the BN and we (MIC) will give our support,” he said, adding that the party had also undertaken several efforts to rebuild and strengthen the BN.

Samy Vellu said the MIC would discuss the proposal “behind close doors” and would participate actively in the discussion “when the time comes”.

“The MIC's official stand with regards to the direct membership proposal is that we did not reject it at any point of time. I want this to be clearly understood by all quarters,” he added.

Mere speculation

MIC secretary general, S Murugesan, also brushed aside reports that MIC would protest the proposals. 

“Those reports were speculative as the party leadership was not quoted.”

MIC secretary general interview s murugesan 170909 01 When asked if MIC would be affected by the entrance of smaller Indian political parties into BN,  Murugesan ( right ) replied: “MIC has its own strength.”

The party’s deputy president G. Palanivel, said that the proposals needed to be studied further. They are expected to be tabled at the coalition’s supreme council meeting in May.

In the meantime, BN friendly political parties welcomed the proposed amendments that would allow them to be full fledged members.

"I haven't receive anything in black and white but I welcome it," said Indian Progressive Front president, Jayashree Pandithan, who added that members are already questioning the need for the party to support BN coalition.

Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party also welcomed the proposal.

"It shows that Prime Minister Najib is very farsighted and adapts to change," said its president, RS Thanenthiran, adding that it would be a waste for BN if the parties were not included. He felt that having more members would energise the ruling coalition.

Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress president Datuk Syed Ibrahim Kader also welcomed this suggestion, according to a Bernama report.

However Indian non-governmental organisations gave mixed reactions.

A Uthayasoorian of the Tamil Foundation, in welcoming the move, hoped that the talk would be translated into action. “Otherwise, this would be another political gimmick," he said.

A Vaithilingam, who leads Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs said that he would prefer non-governmental organisations to remain apolitical in the pursuit of their goals.