MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam urged an opposition leader to enhance his knowledge about the issue of stateless Indians in Malaysia before making any accusations.

Dr Subramaniam said claims by DAP's M. Kulasegaran that 300,000 Indians in Malaysia were stateless, was merely to seek political support.

"He (Kulasegaran) must increase his understanding and knowledge of stateless Indians in the country. He has claimed that the MIC were only brave to confront the opposition but 'bow' to Umno. The opposition too are no different.

"They are brave to voice out grouses within their party but 'bow' to certain parties in the opposition pact," he told reporters when commenting on Kulasegaran's statement in a news portal yesterday, when met at the Hari Raya open house hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Cabinet Ministers here today.

Dr Subramaniam said Barisan Nasional under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak had always adopted the concept of seeking consensus among the component parties to ensure political stability within the ruling coalition.

"The concept has been the pillar of strength in the progress of the country. It is not that we don't encounter problems but we have ways to discuss and resolve the issues," he said.

The National Registration Department had recently refuted allegations that 300,000 members of the Indian community do not have identity card or citizenship because the turnout at the MyDaftar programme was far lower than the number claimed.

BERNAMA