If Indian-based political parties must merge into one party, then Malay-based parties should also do the same, MIC president G Palanivel ( below ) said.

According to the New Straits Times , he said that this should apply across the political divide.

NONE "Umno, PAS, PKR and other Malay-based parties should merge and when Indian-based parties should merge, it will only make this country stronger," he was quoted as saying.

He was commenting on BN secretary general Tengku Adnan Mansor's call for Indian-based BN parties-Makkal Sakti, MIC, Malaysian Indian United Party, Indian Progressive Front and the People's Progressive Party - to merge into one.

Palanivel said that the suggestion has received mixed reaction from some of the Indian-based BN parties he has met.

However, he will meet leaders of all the Indian-based BN parties individually next Monday to discus the proposal.