09-22-2021, 02:18 PM
![[Image: Vigneswaran-and-RS-Thanenthiran.jpg]](https://s3media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Vigneswaran-and-RS-Thanenthiran.jpg)
PETALING JAYA: An Umno supreme council member has urged MIC to accept the reality that it is not the only political party representing the Indian community.
In calling on the Barisan Nasional (BN) component to back Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia, Puad Zarkashi said the coalition’s interest should be seen as more important than anything else and that it was, therefore, appropriate to welcome the new party into the BN fold.
“If MIC is committed to democracy, it should celebrate diversity. It should not stifle support from the Indian community for BN via Makkal Sakti or even MIUP and IPF,” he told FMT, referring to the BN-friendly Malaysian Indian United Party and the All Malaysian Indian Progressive Front.
Puad was commenting on BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that the coalition may field candidates from Makkal Sakti in the next general election (GE15). Zahid is also Umno president.
Makkal Sakti, founded by former Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders, is not part of BN but has been supportive of the coalition for years.
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