Nothing short of magic could have ensured the speedy registration of the Makkal Sakthi Party (MMSP), said a close associate of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar.

In view of this, M Kathirveloo asked if MMSP was endorsed by Barisan Nasional?

He suspects this because he tried to register another party, Indian Rights Action Front (IRAF), in June last year but the application was turned down in April this year.

In a letter to IRAF dated April 3, the Registrar of Societies (ROS) said the application was rejected because the organisation was "suspected" of having a name similar to the outlawed Hindraf.

Furthermore, Kathiravelo pointed out that the government had traditionally been hostile towards Hindraf leaders, yet the movement's former national coordinator RS Thanenthiran managed to register MMSP within weeks.

"MMSP was registered despite 'Makkal Sakthi (people power)' was Hindraf's rallying cry and Thanenthiran was Hindraf's coordinator.

"It took me three months before I secured a meeting with the ROS officer to submit the application. Thus it must have been magic for Thanenthiran to have his application approved so soon," he said when met yesterday.

MMSP: No BN links

Kathiravelo, a businessman and former DAP candidate for the Lunas state seat in 1999, said the circumstances surrounding the speedy registration beg the question of whether MMSP was independent of BN.

"They might think that 'Makkal Sakthi' is the magic word to draw support, but it is the people behind it that is the magic. I hope people will not be cheated by their use of the name," he added.

On the registration of IRAF, Kathiravelo said the idea came at a time when it was necessary to provide an official platform for the public to join and pressure for the release of Hindraf leaders.

hindraf thanenthiran supports anwar ibrahim pc 160908 02 Contacted later, Thanenthiran ( right ) reiterated that MMSP was not given any special treatment by BN, adding that there was no ulterior motive in the establishment of the party other than to help the Indian community.

"We are getting somewhere now and all sort of accusations would come to spoil something that is good for the community," he said.

"They should stop accusing us and realise what we are struggling for. I have clearly stated that the government is not stupid as they have observed us for the past 18 months.

"(The registration) didn't happen over night. We applied two months ago. The government knows who is Thanenthiran and what we are fighting for. So (the detractors) cannot simply accuse us of being given speedy treatment," he added.

'Yes, I met Najib'

Meanwhile, Thanenthirran also confirmed that he had met Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak a month ago, along with 10 others, to discuss several issues surrounding the community.

He said the group had urged Najib to free all Internal Security Act detainees, particularly the Hindraf leaders, and allow the movement's chairperson-in-exile P Waythamoorthy to return to Malaysia unharmed.

Thanenthirran said the delegation also pressed Najib to heed Hindraf's 18-point memorandum aimed at uplifting the welfare of the Indian community.

"It was a very positive meeting. He was taking notes and was very concerned. He said he would try to fulfill our requests," said Thanenthiran.

However, Thanenthirran denied swirling rumours that Najib had backed the formation of MMSP and expressed disappointments that certain quarters had raised doubts about his sincerity in forming the new party.

"I was arrested few times (for participating in Hindraf activities), stayed in a few lockups throughout Malaysia. I even stood at gunpoint before.

"Despite all this, these people (detractors) never talk any good about Thanenthirran. Now that we don't follow orders (from Hindraf leaders), they make accusation against us," he said.