MIC ready to work with PAS

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC has indicated that it will cooperate with Islamic party PAS in the future.

MIC president Tan Sri S.A Vigneswaran said he felt comfortable after meeting PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

"When I met Hadi, he assured me that 'hukum Islam' (Islamic rules) will not affect (jejaskan) other religions and those principles are not used on other religions.

"So, I have instructed MIC lawyers to work with PAS and also explain to our members that PAS' principles will not affect us," said Vigneswaran in a press conference after the party's central working committee (CWC) meeting on Thursday (Sept 13).

He added that any decisions taken from now will only be based on what will benefit MIC.

Vigneswaran said Umno has also been talking to PAS and even worked with the party during the Seri Setia by-election.

Asked if MIC will face a backlash from its grassroots members due to the cooperation, Vigneswaran said he believed that the members will accept the decision.

"I don't think our decision will be taken wrongly by them and if (there is a backlash), we will face it," he added.

Asked if MIC would leave the Barisan Nasional coalition, Vigneswaran said no specific discussions have been held on this matter yet.