MIC denied today the party was divided over support for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate in Kuala Kubu Baharu.

Party information chief Thinalan Rajagopalu said the ranks are united behind the coalition.

“The decision to support the unity government candidate in the KKB polls was made collectively and with the best interests of the party and the constituents in mind.

“The leadership of MIC, including president S.A. Vigneswaran, deputy president M. Saravanan, central working committee members, Selangor MIC leaders and local KKB MIC leaders have been working tirelessly to ensure the success of the PH candidate in the upcoming by-election.

“Any claims suggesting internal dissent or lack of support for the party decision are simply untrue.

“The locals in KKB will definitely acknowledge Hulu Selangor’s MIC division chairman Balasundram on his and his members’ efforts of campaigning for the seat,” he said in a statement today.

He was responding to a The Malaysian Insight report, which quoted sources saying there was infighting in MIC over the PH campaign.

The sources said that not everyone in MIC, especially the grassroots, were keen on helping the coalition win  the state seat.

Thinalan today said MIC stood firm in its commitment to the unity government and the principle of cooperation.

“Any attempts to sow discord or spread misinformation will not be tolerated.

“The party reserves the right to take appropriate legal action against any party or individual spreading false claims that undermine the integrity of the party and its leadership.

“MIC is strongly committed towards a win for the PH candidate in KKB, which will eventually benefit the community and uphold the values of democracy and good governance,” he said.

The KKB seat in Selangor fell vacant following the death of its three-term DAP assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong on March 21.

The by-election is a four-cornered fight between Pang Sock Tao (PH/DAP), Khairul Azhari Saut (Perikatan Nasional/Bersatu), Hafizah Zainuddin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and independent Nyau Ke Xin.

The KKB constituency has a mixed electorate of Malays (53.4)% Malays, Chinese (30.5%), and Indians (15.82%). The remainder is made up of Orang Asli and others.

There are 40,226 registered voters in KKB; Indian voters number 6,362 and could decide the outcome of the election. – May 9, 2024.