KUALA LUMPUR - MIC has decided to maintain the status quo and remain with Barisan Nasional (BN) for the time being after the leadership change in Perikatan Nasional (PN), said deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.
He said that when the decision to explore a potential coalition with PN was made during the party’s annual general assembly (AGM) last year, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was still the PN chairman.
However, with Pas now leading the opposition coalition following the appointment of its vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as PN chairman last month, Saravanan said MIC needs to check the pulse of the Indian community before taking any decisions.
"At that time, our members made the decision based on MIC’s long working relationship with Tan Sri Muhyiddin, from his tenure as (Johor) Menteri Besar to his roles in the federal government and eventually becoming Prime Minister.
"As a party representing the Indian community, we must check the pulse of the community to determine whether they can accept the Pas leadership as an option,” he told reporters after chairing the MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting here today.
Saravanan said while MIC has no issues with the Pas leadership, matters affecting the Indian community, including current temple-related issues, must be carefully considered.
The Tapah Member of Parliament said that MIC remains open to engaging with all parties should the opportunity arise.
Commenting on claims that MIC had applied to join PN, he clarified that it wasn't an application but rather an enquiry following an invitation extended by Pas leaders, including its deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
"We wanted to know that if we (MIC) joined, then how would it be...as we are an Indian party and it already had an Indian party with them.
"We wanted to know if we would become a new member or a permanent member. They should have replied to us instead of accepting us,” he added.
Last week, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan announced that MIC had been officially accepted as a component party of the coalition during its meeting last Saturday. - BERNAMA