EXILED Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairman P. Waythamoor-thy held a cordial meeting with Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) Datuk Zaid Ibrahim in Singapore on Thursday.

It was reported in Tamil Nesan that both men were optimistic that an understanding could be achieved between the two groups, which relations had become estranged lately.

When asked for his comments, Zaid said the meeting had been initiated by individuals who were concerned about securing Hindraf's backing for Pakatan at the next general election, expected to be called much earlier than its due date in 2013.

He said the meeting had to be held in Singapore as Waythamoorthy, self-exiled previously in Britain, could not return to Malaysia because the Government had revoked his passport.

Zaid also gave the assurance that Pakatan would not face any difficulty in accommodating the essence of Hindraf's struggle in its common policy framework, which was meant to further enhance the grouping.

He said PR state governments were also bent on eradicating poverty, irrespective of race and religion, and that they would address the plight of those marginalised in Malaysia.

Zaid, who left Umno for PKR, had recently announced that he was going on leave from the party and would not be attending its political bureau meetings.