KUALA LUMPUR- The merger of Indian-based parties under the Barisan Nasional (BN) umbrella could come to fruition if all stakeholders could bury the hatchet and egotism and work together for the future of the community.
Political analyst Anbumani Balan said cooperation, tolerance and sacrifice would open the door of discussion among Indian leaders with no parties pointing fingers against each other or stamping dominance.
“By admitting that there were many pull and push factors in people’s acceptance of a political party, all stakeholders should take cognisance of the political scenario and be ready to make changes for the benefit of the community,” he said when contacted.
He was commenting BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s proposal to Indian parties under the coalition to merge for the benefit of the Indian community.
Anbumani said the merger called for commitment from all parties as offshoot Indian parties emerged out of a split from the main party due to dissatisfaction and internal bickering.
“As the offshoots become BN friendly, the BN top leadership should be prepared to accept the fact that the process of reconciliation or merger requires the support of all parties,” he added.
Anbumani proposed to the MIC, as a dominant Indian party, to form a reconciliation council of Indian parties comprising representatives of all Indian parties as well that of other BN component parties to pursue the merger.
“This is to facilitate discussions. However, the process should be superseded by a spirit of cooperation and solidarity,” he said.
He said a sudden change could not be expected as many other issues should be delved into carefully and systematically to strike a compromise in creating a win-win situation for all.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Social Sciences senior lecturer Assoc Prof Dr. Sivamurugan Pandian said despite differences in approaches, Indian parties could work together as their ultimate goal was to champion the Indian community economically, socially and politically.
“However, the challenge is to ensure that the restructuring of the single party and leadership as well as the method used to garner support of the community should be well coordinated,” he said, adding that this could become unceasing dilemma unless each party was ready to make sacrifices and compromises for the sake of the community.
Reiterating the Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party’s readiness for the merger, its president, Datuk R.S Thanenthiran said the community needed a single potent tool to pursue their struggle for a better future.
He hoped partisan culture and jostling for positions would not occur if the merger were to come to fruition.
“We do not have any problem in creating a strong bond among Indian political parties subscribing to a noble ideology,” he said, adding that however, all leaders should be tolerance and ready to relinquish their posts.
Dismissing a suggestion that offshoots emerged out of the dominant Indian party due to a tussle for positions, he attributed it to a noble struggle to improve the well-being of the community.
– BERNAMA
