BARISAN Nasional’s (BN) Indian component party, MIC, has been given three seats to contest in the state elections, a party source said. 

The source told The Malaysian Insight the party has been given one seat each in Selangor, Kedah and Negri Sembilan.

“The Jeram Padang seat in Negri Sembilan is confirmed as it is an incumbent seat,” the source said.

“In Selangor and Kedah, there is no confirmation on the seats yet as discussions are ongoing.

“But three seats (are confirmed) as of now,” said the source.

In the 2018 general election, MIC contested three state seats in Selangor and two each in Negri Sembilan, Penang and Kedah – but secured only the Jeram Padang seat. 

Manickam Letchuman is Jeram Padang incumbent. 

Selangor dissolved its assembly yesterday while Kelantan dissolved its assembly on Thursday. Penang had announced it would follow suit on June 28.

The remaining three states have yet to announce their assembly dissolution dates, but the Terengganu assembly will automatically dissolve on July 1, Negri Sembilan on July 2, and Kedah on July 4.

It was reported earlier that MIC was eyeing Penang’s Perai and Seri Delima seats.

Sources said MIC was keen on Perai because the constituency is a traditional stronghold. Leaders such as Rajapathy Kuppusamy and the late V. Muthusamy served the Indian community there for four terms from 1991 until 2008.

The dates for the six state polls have yet to be fixed. All six must hold their elections by September. – June 24, 2023.