The public debate between MIC president G Palanivel and Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir on the state speaker’s position is not doing BN any good, an Umno leader said yesterday.

NONE "Enough of criticising in public... it’s time to sit and discuss matters before they get out of hand," said Wanita Umno information chief Hamidah Osman ( right ).

Hamidah said Zambry and Palanivel, being part of the BN family, should discuss the issue in an amicable manner and not use the media to channel their views and feelings.

“We are part of the BN family and, as such, all family matters should be discussed and kept within the family," she told The Malay Mail.

She said it was time for Zambry and Palanivel to resolve the matter as it was common knowledge that the state government had not made any decision on the speaker's position.

"Why is it that we could sit and discuss bigger matters such as the seat distribution within BN without any problems before the 13th general election, and not this?” she said.

Hamidah was commenting on the statements made by Zambry and Palanivel after the MIC chief said his party would reject all posts in the Perak government if it was not given the speaker's post.

NONE Zambry ( left ) had responded by telling Palanivel not to use the issue to divert from the problems the latter was facing in view of the forthcoming party elections.

Other Perak party leaders have also criticised Palanivel for making the demand.

Exco member Saarani Mohamad said there was no reason for Palanivel to call for a boycott of government posts if MIC was not given the speaker's job.

He said it was not how a BN component party should voice its demands.

"We know Palanivel is facing pressure from his party members over positions in the state government but speaking out in public is not the solution,” said the Lenggong Umno division chief.

Palanivel merely ‘safeguarding’ MIC positions

Gerakan deputy president Chang Ko Youn said no one must use public channels to exert pressure on component parties for posts "especially in this political scenario where the rakyat would question their intentions and purpose in politics".

NONE Chang ( right ), who is also state Gerakan chief, said posts were important to enable politicians to work effectively and efficiently for the people, but there were internal channels to debate the allocation of posts.

“By going public, it will make solutions on disputes difficult, especially when the parties involved harden their positions. It will lead to friction and unnecessary conflicts detrimental to the unity of BN,” he said.

However, former speaker R Ganesan has come to Palanivel's defence, saying the party president was merely making a stand to safeguard the positions held by the party.

“MIC is being hammered from all sides for being a weak party with no say, and if we do not retain the speaker’s post, the party will face more credibility issues.

This is the party’s stand, not Palanivel’s stand,” he said.

Ganesan said the matter was more pressing as there was no representation from the Indian community on BN's side in the state assembly.

- The Malay Mail