PETALING JAYA: The newly-formed Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party will not resort to street protests, preferring to solve things through discussions.

Its president and former Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) national coordinator R.S. Thanenthiran said grievances could be heard through round-table discussions.

“Enough fighting on the streets. We are more determined than ever that non-violence is the way forward with dignity and justice,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

The party, formed by several key Hindraf members, received its approval from the Registrar of Societies within two months of application and was officially registered on May 11.

Thanenthiran said they would remain an independent party but would not turn down funds from either Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat.

“We are not being funded by Barisan. But if they give us money, why not? We will take it. However, this does not mean that we will compromise our principles.

“We will work with any party coalition that supports and benefits the Indian community, be it Barisan or Pakatan,” he said, adding that the party would be officially launched in July.

Thanenthiran said he would meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Pakatan Rakyat’s Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim soon to convey the party’s aspirations.

Makkal Sakti is targeting an increase in membership from 5,000 to 300,000 by June next year.

Meanwhile, Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, a former Hindraf coordinator who had threatened to leave PKR earlier this year alleging the party was not doing much for the Indians, said he would not join Makkal Sakti.

“I had plans to leave PKR several months ago but after having a talk with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, I’ve decided that I won’t be going anywhere,” said Manikavasagam.

Kota Alam Shah MP M. Manoharan said he, too, would stay with his party, the DAP.

“I have been a DAP member for a long time and will continue to be in the party,” said Manoharan, the Hindraf lawyer who was recently released from Internal Security Act detention.