The Star ( 26/11/07)

Majlis Pelancaran Parti Bersatu India Malaysia (MIUP)

Majlis Pelancaran Parti Bersatu India Malaysia (MIUP)

New Indian-based party to back BN

Newly formed Indian-based party, the Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP), today vowed to support the Barisan Nasional-led government, believing that by doing so, opportunity to elevate the social status of the Indian community would be better.

Party president KS Nallakarupan told his supporters at the party’s launching ceremony held at the Istana Hotel in Kuala Lumpur today that the fledgling MIUP does not want to go against BN policies. 

“We believe that the party’s aim can still be achieved by working closely with the BN government,“

We as a party can inject a fresh approach to solving the problems of the Indian community,” he told 800 of his supporters.

The former PKR leader also said that the presence of MIUP, will be a “breath of fresh air which is 

much needed to make quick changes for the betterment of the Indian community.”


Nallakaruppan was also quick to stress that there was no intention of discrediting the much-established Indian-based party MIC.

“We are also not saying that the present Indian-based party in the Barisan Nasional is not doing its job to help the community.

“I am sure that that party is doing whatever it can to help the community. But I think we can do better,” he added.

A secondary school

Nallakaruppan said that MIC should continue with their agenda and that the MIUP will also concentrate on its mission though the latter might have different approaches to issues.
“What’s wrong with being another race-based party? You have MCA and Gerakan (both Chinese-based party) and MIC and the Peoples Progressive Front (both Indian-based party) all in BN, why can't MIUP be in BN too?” he argued. 

Elaborating on “fresh approaches”, Nallakaruppan said his party have outlined several social programmes as means to tackle the problems of the Indian community.

“We have introduced several programmes like sports, education and many youth-oriented programmes in order to inculcate productivity in the Indian community so they may integrate well with other races in this country,” he said.

He also said that his party would be first launching plans to establish an independent Tamil secondary soon. 

When asked if MIUP will contest in the coming general election speculated to be somewhere early next year, Nallakaruppan said his party will not contest.
“I want to concentrate on promoting my party only. Even if BN wants to give me seats to contest, I will not take it. I just want my party to be known first,” he said at a press conference held after the party’s launching ceremony.

‘Go through proper channel’

Nallakaruppan also refused to answer questions on the Hindraf rally  which took place earlier today, saying that he wants to only focus on the party’s launch. 

“This is a historical day in the history of the politics of Malaysia and an important day for me and my party. I don’t want to talk about the Hindraf rally.”

He however said that he personally felt that the Indian community should abide by the law and work within the proper channel if they wished to express any grievances. 

Majlis Pelancaran Parti Bersatu India Malaysia (MIUP)

Tarikh : 25 . 11 . 2007

Masa : 2.30 PM

Tempat : Hotel Istana
Jalan Raja Chulan
"GRAND MAHKOTA BALLROOM"
Kuala Lumpur

Press Announcment of Dato Nalla K.S

Ex-Anwar's buddy Nalla forms new Indian party

S Nallakarupan, who achieved fame as Anwar Ibrahim's former tennis partner, today announced that he has formed a new Indian political party.

Unveiling the Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) to some 100 people present at a press conference in his Kuala Lumpur residence this morning, Nallakarupan said that the party would cater for the Indian community in the country.

He explained that he received the inspiration of forming a new party to cater for Indian Malaysians after quitting PKR, of which he was a member for almost a year.

Nallakarupan quit PKR in May following his realization that the party has marginalized the Indian community.

"I had high hopes and enormous ambitions of being able to do my part to uplift the Indian community through PKR. However, after some time I realized that PKR was not the right platform," Nallakarupan said.

"In the past three to four months, after doing much thinking and getting feedbacks from my family, friends and supporters, I have formed this party," he said.

"The party was approved by the government on Sept 14. I will be the party president and I have identified a team of capable leaders who will help me run it," he said, adding that the primary aim of the party will be to 'bring up' the Indian community which is lagging in economic, political and social development.

'20,000 members in three months'

He also vowed to uplift the standard of living of rural Indians and to help socially problematic Indian youths like those involved in gansterism.

Nallakarupan said that MIUP has 100 members to date, and he will gather 3,000 to 4,000 members by next month. He also vowed to bring in at least 20,000 new members in three to four months time.

Asked if he will get the support of the Indian community, he replied in the affirmative. "They will definitely back me."
"If I could bring in 10,000 members into PKR after I joined the party, I would be able to do the same now," he said, adding that he will travel across the country after Hari Raya to recruit members.

He said MIUP is presently an independent party, but left the option to either join the Barisan Nasional or the opposition front open.

Nalla also explained that he has not thought about contesting in the coming general election "but may consider doing so if his supporters want him."

"It is not for me to decide. I need feedback from party supporters."

Queried on the need for another Indian party, Nallakarupan said: "We can have 10 Indian political parties. But I have formed this party to do my part for the community.

'Loyal to the country'

"This party will be loyal to the country. It will also be the voice for the Indians in this country," he said

Explaining the three colours (yellow, red and blue) in the party flag, Nallakarupan said: "Yellow symbolizes the sun that shines on the party's struggle to uphold the Indian community, red means bravery in the struggle and blue reflects the happiness and harmony in the community."

Former PKR Youth chief and Gerak chairperson Ezam Mohd Noor, who was also present at the press conference, said he was there to lend support to Nallakarupan as an "friend."

"I'm here as a NGO representative. I support any party, especially those with a clear objectives to fight graft in the country."

The official launching of the party will be held at the Putra World Trade Centre next month.

Ijok by-election

Nalla to enter political fary

He looks set to assume PKR post

Datuk K.S. Nallakarupan, whose main claim to fame was playing tennis with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, may soon make his debut in party politics.

The businessman who regards Anwar as “my good friend” looks set to become a vice-president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) after securing the second highest number of nominations for the post.

Raring to go: Nallakarupan, the businessman, signed up as a party member in August.

“It shows that party members want me,” he said.

He admitted that Anwar, who is PKR advisor, had asked him to join the party in 2004 but he had spent the last few years focusing on his business, travelling as well as making a pilgrimage to India.

He only signed up as a member last August.

Nallakarupan, 60, was a casualty in the chain of events set off by the sacking of the former deputy prime minister in 1998.

The then executive director of the betting company Magnum Corp spent a year in prison after being charged with possessing several rounds of ammunition with an expired weapons permit. He was acquitted in August 1999.

He was widely described as Anwar’s “tennis partner” and also had to endure insinuations that he had arranged Anwar’s extra-curricular activities.

“Don’t believe the rumours you have heard about us. Anwar played tennis with many people but I was the only unlucky partner who went to jail. I can forget my wedding anniversary but I can never forget July 31, 1998, the day I was arrested.”

He is reputed to be a compelling Tamil speaker and has been tasked to secure Indian support for PKR.

He is open to the idea of contesting in the general election but said he would leave it to the party leadership to decide.

The party polls, the second in its short history, is scheduled for May.

The tall and lanky politician who has a pronounced paunch looks anything but a tennis player these days. He said that was because he has long given up the game.

He has not picked up a tennis racquet since the day he was arrested.

Then, with a twinkle in his eye, he said: “Tennis is not good for my health.”

Nallakarupan has received 25 nominations whereas incumbent and cardiologist Dr Lee Boon Chye is leading the race for the three vice-president's posts with 58 nominations.

Nalla returns with a bang

After an 18-year hiatus, KS Nallakarupan has returned to politics to deliver ‘thunderstorms and earthquakes’.

The former MIC leader, who joined opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) last year, also vowed to bring in Indian members in droves.

Unabashedly, he declared that he brought in 10,000 Indians into the party since his entry six months ago and another 10,000 were eagerly waiting for the green light.

“PKR means Dato Nalla, PKR is Dato Nalla. That is the talk among the Indians,” he told malaysiakini during a recent interview.

The businessman is a close confidant of PKR advisor and former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim. The pair had played tennis together during rosier times.

In 1998, Nallakarupan became the first casualty in the struggle between Anwar and his estranged ex-boss, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Nallakaruppan was charged and jailed for a year for ‘illegal possession of bullets with an expired weapons permit’.

Following Anwar’s dismissal, Nallakarupan was accused of numerous other misdeeds, including having arranged the former deputy premier’s sexual liaisons.

However, this is an episode in his life which Nallakarupan did not wish to recollect.

“The past is past. I don’t want to go into that again,” he said when quizzed on his experience.

“My suffering in the Sungai Buloh prison and prior detention in (the federal police headquarters in) Bukit Aman are enough for me. I don’t want to dwell on that again.

“Don’t bring me to that episode in my life. Let me live a new life,” added the 60-year-old politician.

He also revealed that he has stopped playing tennis because the sport landed him in a lot of trouble.

“Nobody in the world ever got into political problems by playing tennis, but I did. For health reasons, also, I have decided not to play tennis (anymore),” he said.

Strong support


Returning to his role in PKR, Nallakarupan said he was confident of contributing to the party because there was strong support for him in the Indian community.

He also said that many of them were eager to join the party because they wanted change.

“They keep on coming, there’s no end to it. They keep on coming, they keep on calling me. The Indians this time are really going all out. The support for me is very good,” he said.

Nallakaruppan, who has received a high number of nominations to contest for vice-presidency in the coming party polls, said the Indian community always sought a leader in PKR and until his arrival, there was no such person.

“Without any position I can bring in people. If I become vice-president, imagine what can happen in the party. There will be thunderstorms and an earthquakes,” he stressed.

He was also not perturbed by the reservations and consternation expressed by certain quarters in PKR who feared that Nallakarupan will inject the ‘MIC culture’ into the opposition party.

He said PKR Youth vice-chief S Manikavasagam, who was one of those against his entry in the past, was now actively campaigning for his candidacy as vice-president.

As of the day of the interview (March 20), Nallakaruppan said 19 party divisions had nominated him. That puts him by far the most formidable challenger for one of the three vice-president posts in PKR.

He also pointed out that other races in the party also supported him as one of his first nominations came from the Malay-majority division of Sabak Bernam in Selangor.

“They understand. I’m in the party to help PKR and to help my friend Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.

Rumah Terbuka Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim

Bersama penasihat parti keadilan rakyat, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim di majlis Rumah Terbuka Eidulfitri di kediaman beliau baru-baru ini.

Cahaya Membunuh Ego dan Ketamakan Manusia

Akhir minggu ini dan awal minggu hadapan kita di Malaysia akan meraikan dua perayaan besar, iaitu Diwali atau lebih dikenali di sini sebagai Deepavali dan sambutan Aidilfitri. Dua perayaan ini akan dirayakan berdekatan antara satu sama lain oleh penganut Hindu, untuk Diwali dan Muslim untuk sambutan Aidilfitri yang dijangkakan jatuh pada 24 Oktober (Aidilfitri) dan pada 21 Oktober (Diwali).

Dalam perdebatan yang tidak kunjung selesai mengenai halal atau haram sambutan bersama atas dua perayaan besar tersebut, saya tertarik dengan cerita-cerita yang melatari dua perayaan tersebut yang dikira memberikan pengajaran dan semangat yang berprinsip kepada kebaikan, kedamaian,dan keadilan..

Antara riwayat yang popular bagi perayaan Diwali , adalah kisah kemenangan yang dikecapi oleh Dewa Rama yang mengalahkan Dewa kejahatan bernama Ravan juga terkenal dengan gelaran “Dasamukha”.(bermuka sepuluh) atau "Dasagriva"(berkepala sepuluh) kerana mempunyai 10 kepala.

Ravan dikurniakan kebijaksanaan dan kekuatan tetapi tamak sehingga Ravan mengusai 3 dunia yang berlainan iaitu dunia manusia, cakerawala, dan syaitan. Dengan kurniaan kepala sepuluh, Ravan berkeupayaan dengan 10 kekuatan dan kebijaksanaan dari semua kejadian.

Penguasaan tersebut menjadikan Ravan begitu berkuasa sehingga dikisahkan mampu mengarahkan matahari dan bulan beredar. Ravan menjadi sombong dan bongkak serta tidak boleh ditegur. Kisah Ravan dalam Ramayana memberikan petunjuk bahawa ketaatan tanpa kebijaksanaan adalah sia-sia. Ravan adalah lambang kepada bahaya bagi sifat ego dan serakah.

Rama atau Ramachandran yang juga seorang raja bagi bumi telah dibuang selama 14 tahun ke hutan kerana berkorban untuk kehormatan bapanya, kemudian isterinya Sita telah diculik oleh Ravan Demi menyelamatkan isterinya dia telah bertarung dengan Ravan yang kukuh dan gagah dengan tenteranya dari pelbagai dunia. Pertempuran itu digambarkan sengit dan hebat dengan pelbagai senjata dan magis.

Akhirnya Rama dengan bantuan adik beradiknya berjaya menewaskan dan memengal memenggal kepala Ravan lalu membebaskan Sita. Rama diangkat sebagai raya Ayodhya (ibu negeri bagi kerajaan). Ram adalah lambang kepada sifat belas yang tegar, keberanian dan ketaatan kepada agama dan tangunggjawab.

Sambutan Diwali sering dikaitkan pemasangan lampu 'Perayaan Cahaya' di mana penganut Hindu memasang pelita tanah liat yang dipanggil "diyas" atau bentuk lampu antara lain merayakan kejayaan Rama menutup dan menghapuskan ketamakan dan sifat ego atas kelebihan yang dikurniakan, hari tersebut dipanggil Dussehra.

Kilauan cahaya yang terpancar daripada api pelita ini bukan sahaja mencerminkan kehangatan malah menandakan kejayaan yang diraih disamping memperoleh kekayaan, kemasyhuran, ilmu pengetahuan atau keamanan.

Saya juga difahamkan perayaan Aidilfitri juga mempunyai semangat yang hampir sama, iaitu untuk manusia kembali kepada keadaan fitrah yang tidak tercoreng dengan noda dan dosa kepada tuhan dan manusia melalui didikan di bulan puasa. Kita diajarkan juga kisah Nabi Muhamad, selepas perang Badar yang hebat dan besar, Muhamad S.A.W menegaskan pada umatnya ada perang lebih besar iaitu perang melawan nafsu yang serakah dan ego.

Saya mengharap dua perayaan ini tidak lekang dari semangatnya iaitu pemulihan jiwa dan penegakkan kebenaran dan keadilan.

Akhir kata suka saya berkongsi kalimat Tagore yang Indah ditujukan kepada Diwali

“Malam adalah kegelapan,

Nyalakanlah dengan lampu cinta

Dengan kehidupanmu dan ketaatan”

Dato` Nalla K.S

19 Oktober 2006

Ucapan Sempana Penyertaan Ke Parti KeADILan Rakyat

Penyertaan saya ke dalam Parti KeDILan Rakyat bersama-sama isteri saya iaitu Datin Jijayakumari juga semua golongan profesional terutamanya para peguam, doktor, jurutera, akauntan adalah dengan satu matlamat. Saya akan cuba membantu melakukan yang terbaik daripada segala aspek. Secara jujur, saya katakan bahawa saya menyertai Parti Keadilan Rakyat adalah kerana Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Hasrat saya adalah untuk membantu kepulangan beliau ke dalam arena politik tanah air. Beliau merupakan sahabat saya yang paling baik. Dahulu, beliau merupakan rakan bermain tenis, tapi kini beliau adalah rakan politik saya. Malah kerana persahatan inilah yang menjadikan keluarga kami rapat. Dengan penyertaan saya ke dalam Parti Keadilan Rakyat, saya berjanji akan berjuang bersama-sama Dato' Seri dan rakan-rakan seperjuangan semua. Bagi saya, dengan perjuangan ini menjadi bukti persahabatan kami yang tulus dan suci ini. Terus terang saya katakan saya amat menyayangi persahabatan ini.

Sebenarnya, telah berhari-hari, malah bertahun-tahun lamanya saya berfikir untuk bersama-sama beliau berjuang di dalam Parti KeADILan Keadilan Rakyat. Saya berasa amat bangga dan berterima kasih serta bersyukur kerana beliau Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim telah memberi saya peluang untuk menyertai Parti Keadilan Rakyat ini dan berjuang bersama-samanya.

Saya memulakan karier saya di dalam bidang insuran, kemudian saya telah menyertai PEKEMAS. Maka di sinilah bermulanya era politik saya. Selepas itu, saya menyertai Parti GERAKAN dan kemudian saya menyertai Malaysian Indian Congress Party atau singkatannya MIC. Selepas pertemuan saya dengan Dato' Seri Samy Vellu di satu majlis MIC, beliau menjadi kawan rapat saya. Saya telah dilantik menjadi Pengerusi Cawangan Bukit Bandaraya pada tahun 1983. Kemudian pada tahun 1985, saya telah diberi mandat untuk menjawat jawatan Timbalan Ketua Pemuda Nasional MIC. Selepas itu, pelbagai rintangan dan halangan telah saya tempuhi. Jatuh, bangun dalam hidup dan dunia politik. Pada tahun 1989, saya menghadapi krisis peribadi dengan Dato' Seri Samy Vellu yang mana telah menyebabkan pemecatan saya daripada parti MIC. Kemudian, saya menumpukan perhatian dalam bidang perniagaan selama 17 tahun. Namun, dalam masa yang sama saya masih mengekalkan persahabatan saya dengan beliau. Kini, saya kembali ke arena politik di bawah wadah yang baru di atas nama Parti KeADILan Rakyat bersama-sama Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim meneruskan perjuangan politik demi rakyat dan negara.

Negara patut memberi penghormatan kepada sesiapa yang telah berusaha dan berjuang demi negara. Mereka patut menerima penghormatan! Orang yang telah berjasa memperkenalkan saya kepada dunia politik, seorang yang masyarakat India amat hormati dan mengenalinya sebagai seorang pejuang rakyat. Beliau adalah mendiang Dr. V. David. Saya mencadangkan pada masa akan datang, pihak kerajaan menamakan satu jalan di Petaling Jaya bersempena dengan nama beliau. Ini adalah satu penghormatan kepada perjuangan mendiang Dr. V. David.

Sekarang, saya berdiri di hadapan anda semua bersama-sama dengan Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim iaitu Mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri Malaysia, dan sekarang beliau merupakan Penasihat Parti KeADILan Rakyat di atas pentas ini, telah memutuskan untuk menyertai Parti KeADILan Rakyat. Keputusan saya ini bukanlah dipengaruhi oleh sebab wang ringgit, atau pangkat, dan bukan juga kepentingan diri sendiri. Kesemua ini pernah saya nikmati.

Motif penyertaan saya ke dalam Parti KeADILan Rakyat adalah untuk bersama-sama berjuang untuk rakyat, membasmi kemiskinan dan menegakkan keadilan. Bukan itu sahaja, malah motif utamanya adalah berjuang bersama-sama sahabat saya Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Pada pendapat, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim adalah seorang pemimpin yang ulung dan berkarisma dan amat terkenal kepimpinannya bukan sahaja di negara ini malah di dunia. Penyertaan saya ke dalam parti ini adalah dengan niat suci dan tulus ikhlas tanpa didorong dan dipengaruhi oleh sesiapa.

Kerana keakraban persahabatan inilah saya telah mengharungi rintangan hidup yang paling perit, diheret ke penjara, berhadapan dengan hukuman tali gantung. Saya mempertaruhkan nyawa saya kerana persahabatan ini. Ini adalah pengorbanan saya, dan ianya perlu menjadi contoh kepada semua. Saya telah menghadapi segala persengkataan, segala kegembiraan, juga kenangan manis dalam kehidupan saya. Saya juga telah menghadapi segala rintangan sehingga ke puncak keperitan. Pada hari ini, dan selamanya saya amat berterima kasih kepada isteri saya yang tercinta, Datin Vijayakumari yang amat tabah dan sabar menghadapi ranjau hidup bersama. Pernah satu ketika, sebuah akhbar tamil telah menulis tentang berita kematian saya di Penjara Sg. Buluh. Ada seseorang yang tidak dikenali telah menghantar akhbar tersebut pada pukul 4.00 pagi. Malah saya kira, beliau telah menghadapi tekanan dan rintangan melebihi apa yang saya alami. Saya amat-amat berterima kasih kepada beliau. Kerana doa isteri saya, saya mampu berdiri di hadapan anda semua.

Saya dengan ini, pada hari ini bersama-sama isteri, Datin Vijayakumari bersama rakan-rakan daripada kalangan profesional seperti para peguam, doktor, jurutera, dan akauntan daripada kaum India menyertai Parti KeADILan Rakyat. Selepas hari ini, saya tidak akan berdiam diri. Saya akan terus memulakan "road show" ke seluruh negara untuk mencari ahli-ahli baru Parti KeADILan Rakyat. Sekian.

DATO' K.S NALLA
20 Ogos 2006