MIC lawmaker P Kamalanathan found himself in a spot after it was revealed that his service centre sponsored 220 red T-shirts for tomorrow’s rally.

The Hulu Selangor MP was forced to explain the issue after one participant thanked him on Facebook for the contribution and urged others to collect the T-shirts from the service centre.

Kamalanathan explained that his officers allocated resources for the T-shirts and his office space without knowing what the event was about.

“In the spirit of helping NGOs, my service centre officers allocated resources and the office space, based on goodwill and without knowledge of the event.

“We will be more careful in future to ensure such incidents are not repeated.

“I wish to stress that I do not support any rally or gatherings that has any incitement towards any race or runs afoul of the laws of this country,” Kamalanathan added in a statement today.

The deputy education minister said as an MP, he receives numerous requests for assistance, in the form of funding as well as sponsorship of items, from community leaders and NGOs in Hulu Selangor.

“My office also receives requests to use our space for meetings and small events. This is something all MPs experience and support in good faith.

“The sole intention is to provide some form of assistance to these organisations to carry out their programmes and activities," he said.

Both MIC and MCA have objected to the rally.

'Risk of unwanted incidents'

MIC president Dr S Subramaniam has said there is a risk the rally could lead to unwanted incidents and affect the nation’s political stability, economy and racial harmony.

The rally was called to uphold Malay dignity after photographs of Bersih 4 participants stomping on images of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang surfaced.

Following this, images and posters warning the Chinese of a bloodbath began to circulate.

However, the organiser - National Silat Federation (Pesaka) - renamed the rally as ‘Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu’ and invited Malaysians of all races who supported the government to attend.

Meanwhile, MyWatch chairperson Sri Sanjeevan criticised Kamalanathan over the contribution.

“After being criticised by numerous quarters, Kamalanathan now claims he was merely helping a NGO under his parliamentary allocation.

“When his party itself has opposed the rally, Kamalanathan’s action appears to be as if he is going against the party,” Sanjeevan said in a statement.