MMSP could help garner support from Malay Indian community: Dr. Mahathir

Kuala Lumpur, Sep 27(ANI): Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad believes that Barisan Nasional could form a major political coalition with the newly-formed Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP) to garner support from the Indian community with the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) losing grassroots support.

The MIC is member of the ruling Barisan Coalition (BN) that lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority and control of five of the 13 states in the election in March last year.

"There seems to be a lot of support for the formation of this party. I think it is a good thing because we don't want to lose the support of the Indians," The Star quoted Dr Mahathir, as saying.

When asked if the formation of MMSP, another Indian party, would dilute MIC's influence on the Indian community, Dr Mahathir said: "Well, I think the influence of MIC has already been diluted."

Dr Mahathir further said that MIC president S. Samy Vellu's decision to take two months' leave from his presidential duties, was another decision which came as a big shock to him and disapproved of MIC's recent political strategies.

It was earlier reported that Samy Vellu would take a two-month break as part of his strategy in relinquishing his post.

A significant segment of the nearly two million ethnic Indian population, MIC's support base, was perceived as having shifted away from the Barisan Nasional and towards the opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat. (ANI)