It is undeniable that most of the Indian Malaysians in this country are not aligned with MIC. We constantly voice our frustrations and suggest ways to enhance the party as it is the only party representing us in the Parliament.

Yes, you heard me right - the ONLY party representing us in the Parliament. Whether or not you like it, it represents the entire Malaysian Indian community and that is why Nazri Aziz’s slamming of the MIC president as “bodoh sombong” is one that cannot be forgiven. You have embarrassed the entire community with the inability to control your emotions and failure to display professionalism when it is required.

BN (should) stand as the embodiment of unity among the three major races in this country and what have we here as we approach our Malaysia Day celebration, a blatant show of disrespect even among the top leaders from the ruling government.

If you feel it is okay to release such an article in the national newspapers against the president of another component party - I am sorry, this is pathetic and I don’t think there is much to learn from a party that has produced leaders like you. “Kerana nila setitik rosak susu sebelanga.”

Do not complain about racial issues and other situations where the country and it’s people stand divided if you as a leader, still have a lot to learn about respecting and tolerating other leaders. Criticism is good and it helps to enhance growth but if it is not done appropriately it will breed hatred and create enmity.

When you have so many platforms to improve others in your team, why chose to bombard them with insulting words in a press statement or public speech? This is your internal problem and serves no purpose in being publicly highlighted unless your agenda is to strengthen the oppositions’ stand against your party.

I am no one to advocate politics to you - you know better. My point is although Dr S Subramaniam has requested all Indians to remain calm and refrain from this issue, this must not be repeated by anyone in future. Nazri must apologies for his remarks on MIC leader. We might come from different political views but we are Indians first and we will not approve any similar incidents in future.

MIC has been insulted numerous times by it’s own people and the news has made it to the headlines of many online news portals - but for its president to be insulted in a national daily by another component leader from the same coalition - this is the first and it has to be the last.

It reduces confidence and hope in BN. To be precise, the situation is devastating. Settle your conflicts amicably and do not bring it to the mainstream media. You belong to the same team and are not opponents.

MIC - think on what has led to this embarrassing situation in the first place. I will not say much.

Happy Malaysia Day to all Malaysians - the theme for this year should have been ‘Nurturing Sensitivity and Tolerance At all Levels’.

S GOPINATH is president of the Malaysian Indian Network of Entrepreneurs Association (1MINE).