GEORGE TOWN – MIC and DAP are now in the best position to help the Indian community in the country after both parties decided to not only speak but act on the principles of the Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Harapan unity government.
MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said for the first time in the history of both parties, they have decided to band together for the six state elections to show that unity and harmony are the best ways to help the community now.
“We must bury the past, plan for the present and the future where our politics should be aimed at meeting the needs of the people. We had enough constant battles.”
He said this after attending the joint MIC-DAP mega ceramah in Butterworth last night.
In the past, Saravanan said that whatever MIC tried to do for the community, DAP found a way to be on the opposite side of it, causing a divide within the community.
“But this has now changed with the national unity concept. I think both have grown wise to the need to be together, especially on issues governing both the country and the Indians.”
Saravanan told The Vibes that with MIC and DAP joining forces, winning is no longer an issue for two Penang seats DAP Indian candidates are contesting.
He expects PH-BN candidates Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo (Prai) and Calvin K. Kumaran (Bagan Dalam) to win their seats respectively although he admitted that there are concerns after DAP decided not to renominate the incumbents for both seats – P. Ramasamy (Prai) and M. Satees (Bagan Dalam).
Satees was upset and is now contesting as an independent to defend his seat.
To this, Saravanan said that candidates of various parties must realise that one day, they will be asked to vacate their seats for some other member.
“It is the same for all parties and DAP is no different. We need to respect the party’s decision and be grateful for the chance they have given us to serve for a certain period.”
He wished Ramasamy, the former deputy chief minister, and Satees all the best but said that in the end, political parties are bigger than any leader.
“I also like to honour Ramasamy for his contributions to the community. We are of different parties but when Ramasamy was the deputy chief minister II here, he had voiced out the plight of the Indians. He became the voice of the community, and we appreciate it.”
Saravanan also said that MIC will continue to assist the Penang government after the state election, especially on issues related to the community. – The Vibes, August 8, 2023
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