KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional will soon meet with MIC’s top leadership regarding the party’s recent decision to join Perikatan Nasional, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The deputy Barisan chairman said he would arrange the meeting and is confident that MIC will make the right decision given their history of cooperation, including fighting for the independence of Malaya in 1957.
Mohamad said he is confident that the meeting could take place soon after the 17th Sabah state election on Nov 29.
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"I am confident that the MIC top leadership will think this through because MIC (was) together with Umno and MCA when we fought for independence.
"Barisan and MIC enjoyed good relations for a long time and we were very close.
'So, if there are any issues or misunderstandings that require clarification, we should discuss this together," he said when met by reporters at Kampung Binsulok in Membakut on Tuesday (Nov 18).
Mohamad also said talks are important to ensure that long-standing relations do not end abruptly over certain views.
"As the highest leadership (of Barisan), I am confident that the MIC president, deputy president and other top leaders... (will) think carefully about the decision they are about to make," he added.
Mohamad also said he hopes that MIC will not leave Barisan.
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"When the waves are strong and the seas are rough, let’s dock at a 'jetty' first. Let's fix our 'ship'.
"Let’s patch up any leaks, fix things that are wrong, and head out to sea again once the rough waves have subsided," he added.
On Sunday (Nov 16), the MIC annual general assembly unanimously approved a resolution to leave Barisan and join Perikatan.
MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran has said the party’s Central Working Committee will study the resolution to leave before determining the next course of action.
MIC is one of the founding parties of Barisan, which has ruled since the country achieved independence in 1957.
MIC was formed in August 1946 and later formed the Alliance coalition with Umno and MCA in 1955, before it evolved into Barisan in 1974 with the participation of more component parties.
