MIC can run for all seats previously contested in GE14: Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR – All parliamentary and state seats contested by MIC in the previous general election will remain theirs to vie for in the looming national polls, said Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 

Zahid gave his assurance that the nine parliamentary and 18 state seats will be reserved for the BN component party, saying that there will not be any changes to the seat allocations in the 15th general election due by September next year.

In addition, he said the coalition is ready to allocate more seats to MIC, now led by president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran.

“I promise to you Tan Sri Vicky (Vigneswaran), seats which have been contested by MIC will be yours,” he said in his speech at the launching of the national-level MIC Brigade and crime prevention exhibition at Axiata Arena today.

However, if Vigneswaran wishes to have more seats allocated to his party, Zahid said, the former can negotiate with BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

“But if you don’t get them, please don’t be angry at me. Just be angry with Tok Mat (Mohamad),” he said in apparent jest.

He also hinted that Vigneswaran will be fielded to contest a parliamentary seat.   

For the record, Vigneswaran won the Kota Raja parliamentary seat during GE11 in 2004, but failed to retain the seat in GE12 in 2013 after losing to Siti Mariah Mahmud from PAS. 

“We also wish to see the vice-president (Datuk Seri M. Saravanan) remain as an MP,” added Zahid, referring to the human resource minister.  

Touching on other leaders in the party, he said that Youth chief K. Raven Kumar running as a state assemblyman “will not be a problem”, and also assured that MIC Wanita chief Datuk Mohana Muniandy would be able to contest a constituency.

“Pick your seat, Mohana,” he said. “As for the Puteri chief, please negotiate properly. I will sign the letter of candidacy.”  

The Bagan Datuk MP also said that Barisan Nasional and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will give their best consideration to MIC’s requests.

In addition, he expressed gratitude to MIC for sticking by the coalition despite the defeats it incurred during GE14.  

“There are many different parties which represent the Indian community, and seven other political parties applied to be ‘Friends of BN’. 

“However, MIC remains the core party that represents the Indian community in this country,” he stressed. – The Vibes, September 18, 2022