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Media Statement
by Karpal Singh  
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(Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday) : It is not my intention to interfere in the domestic quarrels of the Gerakan and the PPP. However, in the memory of the Seenivasagam brothers, Datuk S.P. Seenivasagam and D.R.Seenivasagam who founded the PPP and as an opposition party came very close to capturing power in the State Assembly in Perak in the 1969 General Elections. Both Datuk S.P. Seenivasagam and D.R.Seenivasagam were at all time committed to its role as an opposition party. In 1975, I had occasion to speak to Datuk S.P. Seenivasagam who told me that the PPP joined the Alliance after the 1969 elections because of the impact on him of the May 1969 racial riots which caused bloodshed and loss of property. It was a sincere move by Datuk S.P. Seenivasagam. However, after the death of Datuk S.P.Seenivasagam, the leadership of the PPP fell into the hands of political cadavers and opportunists. The PPP has not up to now been able to produce a leader who could match the charisma of the Seenivasagam brothers. The present PPP president, Datuk M. Kayveas, falls short miserably from the stature and charisma of the Seenivasagam brothers.

I am somewhat amused by the threats by Kayveas that the PPP might leave the Barisan Nasional if it is not allocated the seats it is demanding in the coming elections, presumably threatening to join the opposition. The opposition does not need political rubbish among its ranks.

(13/3/2007)