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"I would never issue such threats. A threat is waving a keris and asking when you are going to draw blood," he said.

"I would never issue such threats. A threat is waving a keris and asking when you are going to draw blood," he said.

"I just said we would have to think about our future in the BN if we are not going anywhere. I don't think that is an ultimatum. Come on, we are in no position to give ultimatums to anyone."

He also took to task Umno vice-president and Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam for saying the PPP can join other political parties, which will just mean more seats for other BN member parties.

He said Malacca can "award 200 Datukships to people without positions or even addresses in Malaysia, but he (Ali) could not recommend one to our state chairman of 15 years who is a senator".

"He campaigned for Umno and Ali Rustam in the rain and sun. What did he get in return?"

Stressing that PPP's future presence in BN will be dictated by its members, Kayveas said: "While I would prefer the party to remain in the ruling coalition, I also cannot ignore the voices of our 500,000 party members.

"I'd rather work from within than from outside, but at the end of the day, if the majority of PPP members decide we have to rethink our strategy, and if we are strong enough to do so, then I will have to respect the voices of the majority."

Kayveas, who holds the PPP's sole seat as Taiping MP, said Sunday (yesterday)'s reports that he issued an ultimatum to the BN that PPP would leave the coalition if its demand for more seats and positions were not fulfilled, were untrue.

He said he did make the request for four parliamentary seats, 12 state seats, 79 local council seats and the position of Ipoh mayor at the party's 54th anniversary celebrations in Johor Baru on Friday (July 27).

"These are seats and positions that were already in PPP's hand before it joined the BN in 1972," he said.

"When you speak to party members, of course you need to tell them what they want to hear. They want to know where the party is headed and it is my responsibility to tell them but I never issued any ultimatum although I did voice my dissapointment at not being given due recognition."

Kayveas said the seat allocation to the PPP would be discussed in September among the four main BN component parties Ð Umno, MCA, MIC and Gerakan..

"PPP is not part of this and there are two parties that will not be happy if seats are given to PPP."

Kayveas, who is a deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said he did not request a full ministership because it was inappropriate for him to do so as the position would ultimately go to him as party president.

Yesterday, Kayveas was taken to task by senior BN component party leaders, including Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, Ali Rustam, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, and MCA vice-president and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Kayveas said: "Ali Rustam doesn't know history. It was our strength, not weakness that prompted (then prime minister) Tun Abdul Razak to invite us to join the coalition.

"PPP is worse off now after joining the BN. If we are outside, we could be a formidable opposition. This, again, is not a threat. I'm just stating facts."

Accusing Mohd Ali of not recognising the PPP's contributions, he said: "In 1996, he asked for the PPP's single senate allocation to be given to Umno. I acceded to his request, and when I asked for the seat to be returned, he refused. It was only through the prime minister's intervention that we got our senatorship back."

Kayveas also said the party is on an membership drive.

In Kelantan, he said, 5,000 Malays, including Umno members, have joined the party.

"Eventually, we want at least a 40% Malay membership in the PPP," he said.

Popularity: 2% [?]

KUALA LUMPUR: The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) has approved an allocation of RM4.3mil to assist Indian youths in education and business.  

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the allocation, which was the result of discussions between Yayasan Strategik Sosial and the EPU, would primarily be for vocational courses. 

He said that of the allocation, RM1.16mil would be for 200 youths who failed their SPM and were unable to secure places at Giat Mara, Industrial Training Institute (ILP) and the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN). 

“They will undergo six months of training from July to December at four other skills training institutes,” he said in his speech at the 14th Malaysian Indian Youth Council annual meeting yesterday. 

Delegates listening to Samy Vellu's speech at the Malaysian Indian Youth Council annual meeting at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. - Azman Ghani / The Star

Samy Vellu said the RM4.3mil allocation also included a RM3mil micro-business loan fund for 500 youths, who had graduated from Giat Mara, ILP and IKBN. 

“Each youth is allowed to apply for loans between RM500 and RM10,000,” he said. 

Samy Vellu added that RM140,600 has also been allocated for the living expenses of between 60 and 80 youths studying in six Giat Mara centres. 

“Additionally, the Government through the National Entrepreneurs Institute has allocated RM150,000 for 600 youths involved in micro-businesses at Giat Mara centres and the ILP,” he said. 

Earlier in his speech, Samy Vellu called on all Indian associations in the country including non-governmental organisations and social clubs to hold a national convention to discuss the Youth Societies and Youth Development Act 2006.

Popularity: 3% [?]

He said his statement was “misinterpreted and misunderstood.”  

“I know when to speak my mind and when to mind my speech and I don’t simply give statements and ultimatums.  

“I think we are not in the position to give any ultimatum to anybody but I must say that it is just a struggle for PPP which has been a very strong party and which has been in the opposition.  

“We were close to forming a government in Perak before we joined the Barisan in the early 1970s. 

“We are a founder member, a very senior member in Barisan Nasional,” he said after handing over financial aid to needy students yesterday.

Popularity: 2% [?]