MIC to decide on BN exit, PN entry at AGM in November
MIC deputy president M Saravanan said the power to make such decisions lies not with the party’s leadership, but in the hands of delegates at the general assembly.
“There is indeed an invitation from...
MIC will decide on its future in BN and whether to accept the invitation to join Perikatan Nasional at its general assembly in November.
MIC deputy president M Saravanan said the power to make such decisions lies not with the party’s leadership, but in the hands of delegates at the general assembly.
“There is indeed an invitation from PAS and Bersatu. I thank them, and this matter can be decided by the general assembly, not me or the president. Indeed, neither I nor the president have the power to decide.
“This November, delegates will give their opinions. Even though we have so far received mandates from several states, we will still leave the overall decision to the general assembly,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying at an event in Tapah, Perak, today.
Four MIC state chapters have approved resolutions to compel the party to quit BN.
The party has also reportedly entered into informal talks with PN.
This led to MIC sending a representative to the recent Bersatu annual general meeting (AGM). However, no representative was present at the PAS muktamar in Kedah due to a scheduling issue.
Commenting further, Saravanan said the invitation from PAS to join PN shows that the Islamist party views MIC as still being influential among the Indian community.
He added that the invitation also displayed PAS’ willingness to work with MIC.
When asked about MIC’s position in BN, Saravanan said the relationship was still good, although it was inactive.
Dissatisfaction within BN
Meanwhile, Bernama reported that BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will seek immediate clarification from MIC about the possibility of the party joining PN.
“I will ask him (MIC president S Vigneswaran) myself later,” he reportedly said to reporters when asked at the sidelines of the launch of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Encyclopedia in Kuala Lumpur today.
At the heart of MIC’s dissatisfaction with BN are concerns that the party will be sidelined in the next general election.
This is because BN and its partner Pakatan Harapan have been operating on an incumbency formula when distributing seats.
This has led to fears in MIC and MCA that the two parties will only be allowed to contest in the few seats they hold in the next election.
Tapah lawmaker Saravanan is MIC’s only MP.
