MIC leaders and members must embody the spirit of 'munneruvom' (progressing together) to ensure the party remains strong and relevant to the Indian community in the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said all MIC members, whether new or old, should give their full commitment to the party's struggle and always be prepared to help each other.

"We must move as one and hold on to 'munneruvom'," Najib, who is also the Chairman of Barisan Nasional, said in his speech at MIC's 70th Annual General Meeting here today.

His call received thunderous response from the members gathered who also shouted ‘Munneruvom’, which is part of the lyrics in MIC party song, "Victory in Our Hand".

Najib said MIC must also be united and credible if it wants to continue serving the Indian community.

"When I say the party must unite, I want to see the unity of the Indian community. Right now, there are too many political parties representing the Indian community, or trying to represent the Indian community, this makes it difficult for us, difficult for me.

"Even though the Indian community is the smallest community, about five percent, but from the letters, it is the most I have received, with many letterheads," he said, followed by laughter from the MIC delegates present.

Commenting further, Najib said the policy of power-sharing among BN component parties ensured the spirit of unity under one roof.

In this context, the Prime Minister urged the MIC which faced a previous power struggle to remain united in supporting the present leaders and to try to resolve whatever problems in a better way.

The Prime Minister said if the MIC wanted to be the umbrella body for the Indian community, the party must continue to practise politics which are inclusive, united and does not rock leadership.

"When you come into a house, accept the leadership in the house. One swallow doesn't make a summer. One man cannot make a change. But a man with followers can make a change. So if there are any issues, sit down and discuss with them.

"It does not matter if it is the Indian Progressive Front (IPF), Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP), Makkal Sakti, anyone. Sit down and discuss. If you cannot merge, at least ideally (be) under one roof with strategic collaboration and continued until the General Election (GE), and support the BN candidate," he said.

Najib said if BN wants to win the coming GE, there must be a transformation from the leadership right down to the grassroots level, and the component party's machinery must be ready from now to approach the voters and serve the community.

He said there must be a wide network of services to the people and not focused on any one community, so the policy of racial integration and tolerance must be further extended.

"I am confident, and believe (that) we have won the battle (to gain support) but not in the war (election) yet...so we must focus on how to win the war during the 14th GE. Do not have tunnel vision, you must be inclusive and you must be a true leader. Only then can we win the battle and also the war," he said.

Commenting on the MIC Annual General Assembly, Najib said it was an important arena which signaled that the 'storm' within MIC had ended and opened up a new chapter for the party.

He also believed that MIC would emerge as a more committed component party which would be successful heading in a clearer direction, with a more organised leadership. -- BERNAMA