Newly formed Malaysian Indian United Party to cater for the Indian community will have no impact on national politics, predicted PKR's supreme council member S Manikavasagam today.

He said the party, which was formed by former PKR member S Nallakaruppan, aimed to champion racial issues which are increasingly irrelevant in Malaysia today.

"Problems of poverty, education, discrimination faced by the Indian community will not be resolved by any race-based party," said Manikavasagam in a statement today.

He said that political leaders of all races must treat the problems of any community as national priority and be committed to work together to overcome them.

He added that PKR was the only political movement which championed a united Malaysian nationhood, which was reflected in the party's new Malaysian Economic Agenda.

"The economy agenda is to promote strong economic growth and distributive justice regardless of race, religion and colour," he said.

Manikavasagam ( photo ) said that all political parties in the country, especially those in the ruling BN coalition, should urge for the creation of a multiracial party that promotes equality for all.

MIC to remain strong

Businessman Nallakaruppan, who left PKR in May after complaining that the party neglected to take care of the Indian community, announced the formation of his party - MIUP - on Saturday.

"We feel there is room for another Indian-based party and the MIUP can fill that vacuum with great success," said the former PKR divisional leader.

Yesterday Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the formation of the party was proof that the PKR was in deep trouble.

"PKR may be experiencing a big problem and that is why Datuk Nallakaruppan has decided to set up his own party," he was quoted as saying in Bernama .

Meanwhile MIC president S Samy Vellu said that his party's support from the Indian community would not waver even with the formation of Nallakaruppan's party.

"Many parties have come and gone, but MIC still remains the strongest Indian party," he was reported as saying today.