MIC wants BN to maintain tradition, allow MCA to contest Tanjung Piai by-election

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC does not want Umno to take the Tanjung Piai seat away from MCA in the upcoming by-election.

Its president Tan Sri S A Vigneswaran insisted that MCA should be retained to contest the seat.

He told Berita Harian that the opposition should take the Tanjung Piai by-election as an opportunity to prove its ability to form a government with leadership that comprises members of various races and religions.

"BN needs to stand by its principle of fairness in maintaining race-based political cooperation.

“Don’t take the Tanjung Piai seat, since PAS has already declared its support for the MCA candidate.

"Umno also needs to prove its cooperation with PAS is not aimed to deny fellow component parties of their seats.

“No matter what the excuse, MIC wants BN to continue fielding MCA candidates for that seat, ” Berita Harian quoted him as saying on Tuesday (Oct 8).

He said he was confident that BN would make the “right” decision.

Last Saturday (Oct 5), Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported as hinting that his party may contest the seat.

He said Umno and the Malays in Tanjung Piai want change, but MCA wants to maintain its tradition.