Tensions are brewing in Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) with the entry of party adviser Anwar Ibrahim's close associate and former tennis partner, KS Nallakaruppan.

Contacted today, PKR Youth vice chief S Manikavasagam claimed that Nallakaruppan would inject MIC's 'bad culture' into the opposition party.
Nallakaruppan, who was a former MIC Youth leader, had previously faced the death sentence under the Firearms Act.

In a recent interview published in malaysiakini, Nallakaruppan said among others he was joining PKR to help Anwar make a political comeback.

Meanwhile, Manikavasagam claimed that Nallakaruppan showed his 'true colours' when he 'chased' him (Manikavasagam) and PKR supreme council member Dr Xavier Jeyakumar during a function at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The function was held in conjunction with Nallakaruppan's entry into the opposition party with some 2,000 Indian Malaysians.

According to Manikavasagam, the incident happened in front of the party's top leadership, including Anwar and his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also PKR president.

"Get up, get up!" Manikavasagam quoted Nallakaruppan as allegedly telling him and Jeyakumar. Following this, the two left and sat with other PKR members.* [Clarification]

"This is the MIC culture and PKR cannot accept this. I felt very ashamed with what happened," he said.

He claimed that Nallakaruppan behaved in that manner because he believed that Manikavasagam was trying to block his entry into the party.

"I don't have the power to block anyone, In fact, I welcome Nallakaruppan's entry as it will strengthen the party," he stressed.

What can you do?

However, Manikavasagam said Nallakaruppan did not mention any agenda to help uplift the Indian Malaysian community during his speech yesterday.

Instead, he said Nallakaruppan was only talking about his experience under police detention.

"The people don't want to hear all that, tell us what you can do for the Indian community in this country," he added.

Nallakaruppan could not be reached for comments.

Commenting on the alleged incident, PKR information chief Tian Chua said: "I don't think it happened because the programme proceeded smoothly without any problems."

"This party does not care about race or whether the person is from MIC, PPP or IPF because PKR is a multiracial party. We welcome all of them. If they create an unhealthy image, we can discuss among ourselves and overcome it," he added when contacted.

Chua said PKR was a mass-based and democratic organisation and "we don't think that the culture of other parties can affect PKR".

In another development, Manikavasagam said he would leave PKR when his tenure as deputy Youth chief expired next year.

He added that he was tired with all the antics in the opposition party and would focus on working with non-governmental organisations.
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Manikavasagam had previously tendered his resignation but retracted it after being persuaded by the party leadership.

Clarification: Tensions brew in PKR over Nalla's entry