Najib Acknowledges Kayveas As President

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 (Bernama) -- Supporters of Datuk M.Kayveas were on cloud nine when their man was acknowledged the legitimate People's Progressive Party (PPP) president by none other than the prime minister himself.

The acknowledgment came when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak officiated the party's 56th General Assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre here, in his capacity as Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman.

PPP is a component member of BN.

When Najib said, "Yang Berbahagia Datuk M. Kayveas, President PPP", the hall with more than 4,000 delegates and 2,600 observers reveberated with a standing ovation, signaling that their man won the crown.

Kayveas is currently locked in a bitter dispute with Senator Datuk T. Murugiah for the post of party president.

Murugiah, who is deputy minister in the Prime Minster's Department, proclaimed himself president at the party's purported Emergency General Meeting on May 24, while Kayveas was returned unopposed as president for a fourth five-year term at the party's nomination on May 30.

Murugiah has vowed to "fight till the end" to defend his post and bring justice to PPP members.

His faction did not accept the decision of the ROS who gave Kayveas the thumbs-up to be the legitimate president.

In his policy speech, Kayveas pledged undivided support and loyalty to the BN and its leadership under Najib and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Kayveas said the people's perspective that the PPP was weak, was erroneous and that the party was strong and heading in the right direction.

He added that the party fully supported the 1Malaysia concept as initiated by Najib.

"This concept cannot be successfully implemented by one community, but we have to function as one family. We have to be as equal as possible. There must be a balance between the rural and the urban. There must be love among all," he emphasised.

Calling on the government to do away with race, Kayveas said, "From now on, PPP will stop using the word 'race' and would refer the party as an 'all Malaysian party', instead of multi-racial or non-racial".

Meanwhile, Kayveas lamblasted the opposition in creating unnecessary by-elections, suggesting that money spent on such elections could be used to build low-cost houses for the poor.

He also reiterated his party's earlier stand to introduce the mother tongue as a compulsory subject in all national schools.

On scholarships, the party president said they should be given based on merit, and that young Malaysians should not feel discriminated at an early age, as this discontentment would remain in their hearts as they grew older.

"Therefore, policies which had the slightest tint of discrimination should be changed immediately," he noted.

Kayveas also called on Socso to provide benefits for members who met with accidents after office hours.

He also urged the authorities to investigate thoroughly, deaths while in police custody, and charge those responsible for murder.

"This is to safeguard the integrity and impartiality of the police force," he added.

-- BERNAMA