KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) newest component, the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP), has assured that it will work together with the coalition’s non-Malay wings for the coming Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
Following a PN supreme council meeting at Publika today, MIPP president P. Punithan told reporters that the party would liaise with relevant factions to synchronise election efforts.
Punithan referenced the Bersatu Bersekutu wing for its non-Bumiputera members, the PAS Non-Muslim Supporters Wing and Indian representatives within Gerakan.
“We have been in touch with them, and we’re working together. This is nothing new since I’ve been the PN Indian committee deputy chairman, so our working relationship goes on.
“We want to make sure that for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, we’re working together to spearhead (campaigning efforts). It’s not that MIPP is playing the solo game (as) we’re working together with PN’s other contributors,” Punithan added.
He also asserted that MIPP would be able to rise to be the “next best option” for the Indian community after Barisan Nasional component MIC.
“There is no other Indian political party that can lead the Indian community. Now is the best time for us to lead (the community) as support for MIC has gone down tremendously in past elections,” he said.
“The Indian community will support whoever is the candidate announced by PN for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, (with) MIPP leading the election machinery (targeted at) the Indian community.
“I believe PN will lead the Indian community in the coming election, and we’re also preparing (to face) the 16th general election,” he added.
Punithan also said that MIPP’s “historic” inclusion in PN exemplified the coalition’s care for the Indian community and urged the community, which is the third largest ethnic group in the nation, to support PN “for a brighter future”.
As of the Selangor state election last year, Kuala Kubu Baharu’s voter base consists of 49.3% Malays, 30.6% Chinese, 17.9% Indians and 2.1% from other ethnicities.
The Election Commission has set the polling date for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on May 11, with April 27 as the candidate nomination day.
The state seat was vacated following the death of DAP assemblywoman Lee Kee Hiong, who died of ovarian cancer last month. She had held the seat for PH since 2013. – April 22, 2024