KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman and former Parti Keadilan Rakyat stalwart launched a new political party yesterday -- the Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP).

Datuk S. Nallakaruppan will assume the presidency of the fledgling party.

He said his party was independent but supported the Barisan Nasional.

"We will not be going against Barisan Nasional policies in improving the lot of the Indian community.

"We can achieve our aims by working with Barisan Nasional," he said.

MIUP claims to have 25,000 members nationwide.

He said that he supported the government even though it sent him to jail in 1998.

He had been charged under the Internal Security Act for unlawful possession of ammunition.

"At that time, we had a different prime minister.

"I hope Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will not put me in prison," he joked.

Nallakaruppan said his first task was to set up the first Tamil secondary school.

Aiyoyo. Do we need another racial based party? Sounds so feudal la. I have a feeling that theres gonna be more internal bickering among indian parties within BN: MIC v PPP v MIUP.

^ The Argumentative Indian .... is a trait that is innate in the indian mindset according to Amartya Sen the Nobel Prize Winning economist from India. That's why India is diverse and chaotic but will always tolerate religious heterodoxy but needs to remain secular in governance