BARISAN Nasional (BN) component parties MCA and MIC must not expect state seats in Penang just because the coalition is part of the current Unity Government, DAP’s P. Ramasamy said.

Commenting following a news report that MIC is eyeing the Perai and Seri Delima seats in Penang, Ramasamy, who is the state’s deputy chief minister said that even if the pliant parties are given seats that they are asking, there is the question of delivery of political support. 

“Being a member of the unity government might not be the right reason why the MIC should be accorded seats,” Ramasamy said.

“If only they can demonstrate that they can deliver the Indian votes but unfortunately, Indian votes in Perai and other constituencies are already intact for Pakatan Harapan (PH). 

“Seri Delima on the island part of Penang is not even MIC’s traditional seat. 

“Just because a DAP Indian candidate had contested before, MIC has no traditional or otherwise claim on the state seat,” he added. 

Earlier today a MIC source claimed that the party is eyeing the Perai and Seri Delima seats in the upcoming state election. 

The source said MIC is keen on Perai because the state constituency has been a traditional stronghold, claiming that leaders such as Rajapathy Kuppusamy and the late V Muthusamy served the Indian community there for four terms from 1991 until 2008.  

Ramasamy is a three-term Perai assemblyman. 

The outspoken assemblyman said that even if MCA and MIC are given the seats that they are asking for, there is the question of delivery of political support. 

“MIC wants the Perai seat with the Indian voter strength of 35%, one of the highest concentrations of Indian voters in the country,” Ramasamy said. 

“It might have been traditionally contested by the MIC, however, MIC lost to me in the last three elections. I wonder how the MIC can claim that Perai is their traditional seat when they have lost to DAP consecutively in the last general elections. 

“My majority had increased from 5,000 votes in 2008, to 7000 votes in 2013 and 9000 votes in 2018,” he said. 

Ramasamy said he has no animosity towards the MIC or the MCA, they are free to ask for seats in the coming state elections.

Even if state seats are not given to the MIC, the party must take stock of the past and present to ascertain why it failed to champion the rights of the Indian community, he added. 

Earlier, Penang Pakatan Harapan chairman Chow Kon Yeow was reported saying that MIC and MCA were involved in a second round of seat negotiations between the coalition and BN. 

The report also said MCA has been lobbying for seats in the state. – May 30, 2023.