MIC: ‘If you want to leave, just leave, no need to go around in circles’ - Mani Maran
The party’s top leadership should not use Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as an excuse to justify the delay.
IPOH - Former MIC Sungai Siput Division Chief K Mani Maran has criticised the party’s leadership for delaying its decision to leave Barisan Nasional (BN), describing the postponement as unnecessary and potentially detrimental to the Indian community.
He pointed out that delegates at the recent Annual General Assembly had unanimously supported the resolution to exit the coalition and it has been standard practice for motions passed unanimously at the assembly to be implemented immediately.
Mani added that the party’s top leadership should not use Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as an excuse to justify the delay.
“The delegates have already made the decision, so what is there to wait for? It has been more than a year since they said they want to leave BN and suddenly they want to postpone discussing it in the supreme council. I feel as if there is a personal agenda.
“If that is the case, do not blame Umno and BN because we are allies and have fought together for over 70 years. If you want to leave, just leave, no need to go around in circles,” he told Sinar on Wednesday.
Mani also emphasised that MIC should be transparent with the public about its true intentions, mentioning that if the Cabinet positions are at stake, only the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can decide, not Zahid.
He cautioned that if the decision to exit BN is motivated by personal interests, it would be a loss for the Indian community, as MIC is one of the founding members of Malaysia’s oldest political coalition.
He added that the decision appeared hasty, unlike MCA, which has chosen a different path despite not holding any government posts.
Meanwhile, Mani highlighted that the Indian community in Perak has not been sidelined under the state government led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, who also serves as BN state chairman.
“In Perak, not only are specific allocations provided to the Indian community, but MIC leaders are also given positions in GLCs (government-linked companies) and appointed as members of local authority councils.
“So I do not see Indians being sidelined, including MIC in Perak,” he said.
He added that the postponement of the decision by MIC delegates harms members and supporters who relied on government assistance.
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