KUALA LUMPUR: MIC has been allocated four seats in the upcoming Johor state election, says its vice president Datuk T Murugiah (pic).
He said the matter was confirmed by party president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran, who recently attended discussions on the Johor and Negri Sembilan state elections with Barisan Nasional coalition partners.
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"The president has said that we will contest four seats in Johor, while the number of seats MIC will contest in Negri Sembilan has not yet been finalised.
"Preparations are underway,” he told a press conference after a meeting on MIC’s 80th anniversary celebrations at its headquarters here on Tuesday (June 16).
To strengthen and streamline the party machinery, he said MIC will organise a two-day training session for about 150 speakers in Johor Baru this weekend, enabling them to deliver accurate information when campaigning among the Indian community in all Johor state constituencies.
"They will be trained in public speaking and the messages to be delivered before being deployed to speak in all 56 state seats contested by Barisan to attract support from the Indian community," he said.
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In the 15th Johor state election in March 2022, MIC won three of the four seats it contested, namely Kemelah, Kahang and Tenggaroh, while losing in Bukit Batu.
According to a party insider, MIC is expected to field candidates in Kemelah, Kahang and Bukit Batu in this election, while the Tenggaroh seat will be swapped with Umno for Perling.
"It is expected that 50% of the candidates will be new faces in the Johor election.
"For Negri Sembilan, MIC has a chance to contest two seats," the insider said.
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The Election Commission has fixed July 11 for polling in Johor and Aug 1 for polling in Negri Sembilan.
Nomination Day will be on June 27 in Johor and July 18 in Negri Sembilan.
Meanwhile, Murugiah said the party will organise sports competitions in 152 areas nationwide this Saturday (June 20) in conjunction with the anniversary celebration.
He also invited people of all races to take part in the competitions, which include football, badminton, bowling, carroms and hiking. – Bernama
