KUALA LUMPUR – MIC president Tan Sri S.A Vigneswaran has assured Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of his party’s full support towards the unity government despite admitting to its fractious ties with Umno at present.
Speaking during Anwar’s visit to the party headquarters here, the former senate president expressed MIC’s unhappiness over its present treatment, especially by fellow component party Umno.
“Actually in my speech I don’t think I can read it out in full due to the presence of the media, but rather something I must talk about within Barisan Nasional (BN).
“We (MIC) are actually at the crossroads regarding the perimeters set during seat discussions.
“Even though we had discussions, it was not reflecting the spirit that we expected , despite wanting to contest them,” he said.
Speaking in the presence of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Vigneswaran expressed MIC’s “sacrifice” by allowing Umno to contest the Jeram Padang seat.
“As Umno themselves are fighting for seats, in the spirit, we allowed our brothers in Umno to contest Jeram Padang instead, which was a big decision on our part.
“Jeram Padang was a seat that we won in the past,” he added.
Targeting his criticism at Umno and Zahid, Vigneswaran also expressed the party’s unhappiness over being constantly sidelined since the formation of the unity government late last year.
“I think the bigger issue here, that we want to share with the press, is about our uneasiness over the past seven months.
“While we only got one (parliament) seat but in the spirit (of the unity government), one should have considered MIC and MCA for the post of minister instead of appointing those who had lost in the (general) election.
“We understand and respect that we were not given anything, which only shows that we have been completely sidelined by the unity government.”
Despite Zahid having assured that the party’s requests will be considered after the state election, Vigneswaran went on to say while MIC is not expecting for GLC posts but wants the respect accorded to them by giving them such posts.
“MIC has been here for a very long time and with all due respect we have decided to swim or sink with BN.
“If one wants to say we are wrong we only follow our elder brother Umno, we cannot do much to change our policies,”he said.
Vigneswaran said he has since explained to the party’s leadership committee that the Prime Minister had guaranteed that Indian issues will be resolved within this year.
“And I trust you sir because we have nobody else to trust.
“If I might have a problem, the one thing I know is that I can just buy durian and go to his (Anwar’s) house to resolve it.
“As MIC president I give you my word, you will stay as PM for five years,” he said to the applause of party members.
Speaking to reporters following the event, Vigneswaran said that it was good for Anwar to come and met grassroot leaders.
“His visit to tell them and give them the confidence that the right choice is for MIC to give him the support to ensure there is continuity (of the present government) and the stability of the country.
“If it’s only one party that is going to get (seat allocations) and others are not, then it’s very unfair,
And you cannot expect us to not make certain decisions which might not be good (for the unity government)
“As it is now, we (MIC) do not want to be somebody, at the time of state elections, that tries to get something. That is not our intention.”
“Our intention is GE16, where MIC will be at a crossroads. We want to ensure that MIC and MCA are given adequate representation,” he added.
His speech and comments come following Selangor Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s recent confirmation that numerous MIC members are switching loyalties to support the coalition, amid talk of dissatisfaction in the BN component party. – August 2, 2023