Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) secretary-general S Arutchelvan today denied having any link with a ceramah (gathering) being organised by an Indian-based opposition party next week.

"I am disappointed that my name has been used conveniently by the organisers, giving an impression that PSM and myself are supporting the programme," he said in a press statement to malaysiakini .

Arutchelvan was commenting on a brochure printed by Parti Reformasi Insan Malaysia (Prim) publicising a ceramah entitled "Is there a Future for the Indian Community in Barisan Alternatif?" to be held at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on Feb 11.

The brochure named Arutchelvan as among the invited guests, which included Dr A Soorian and Genga Nair, former DAP elected representatives, and A Tiagarajah, Workers Party chairman.

Arutchelvan said that while he had nothing against the scheduled event, he had not accepted any invitation from the organisers.

"It is nevertheless true that I was informally informed by (Prim pro-tem secretary-general) P Uthayakumar but till now, I have yet to receive an official invitation.

"I have also not expressed much eagerness on the topic but feel that Prim has the right to hold such a rally. It is their fundamental right," Arutchelvan said.

Meanwhile, when contacted, organising committee chairman K Panirselvam said that Prim had sent an invitation via fax to Arutchelvan, and the latter had accepted the invitation.

"We have sent him the invitation and he has agreed to come to the rally," Panirselvam said.

Nationwide tour

The event is part of a year-long nationwide tour scheduled by Prim, a breakaway party from Keadilan comprising all Indian members, to highlight the plight of the Indian community, especially within the opposition front.

The party claimed that the Indians were strong supporters of the reformasi movement, but have long been sidelined by Barisan Alternatif, which comprises PAS, PRM, DAP and Keadilan.

"In fact 95 percent of the lawyers who assisted thousands of reformasi supporters who were arrested and abused by the police were Indians," Panirselvam said.

"Keadilan and BA have been totally insensitive to the needs of the Indians. This clearly proves that there is no future for the Indian community in BA."