State polls: MCA and MIC to sit out elections

MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon (right) and MIC secretary-general RT Rajasekaran.

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional component parties MCA and MIC will not be contesting in the upcoming state elections.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the decision to sit out the polls was made in a central committee meeting on Wednesday (July 5).

"This decision was reached after in-depth discussion and analysis, as well as taking into account the current political situation, where the party will carry out reforms and revival.

"During this period, MCA will focus more on preparing for the 16th General Election.

"At the same time, MCA will play its role as a Barisan Nasional component party and will help the coalition's candidates in the elections in six states," he said in a statement.

Currently, the party holds seven state assembly seats in Perak (one), Melaka (two) and Johor (four).

Meanwhile, MIC secretary-general RT Rajasekaran also announced that the party would sit out of the state elections and would also instead focus their efforts on the next general election.

"This decision was made after a four-hour discussion which took into account views from the central working committee and the current political landscape. However MIC will play its role as a component party of Barisan.

"The decision was relayed to the Prime Minister, in his capacity as chairman of the Madani unity government," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

In a related matter, Rajasekaran said that they had not been informed of any final decision on seat distribution.

"I refer to the statement made by (Barisan deputy chairman) Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan where he stated that a final decision regarding seat distribution for the upcoming state elections had been made, but this fact was not discussed or agreed by the Barisan supreme council or MIC," he added.

The Election Commission on Wednesday announced that polling day for the state elections involving Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang will be on Aug 12.