MIC has advised its state leaderships to snub Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates for the August 12 state elections, a source said.

The source claimed that a decision was reached by the party’s central working committee (CWC), asking party leaders and members to only support Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates.

The Malaysian Insight sighted a message sent to the state leaderships, which was shared by the source.

“Dear respective state chairmen, please be advised that as per the decision of the CWC, our party will only support and work for the BN candidates in the state elections,” the message read.

“As such, please advise the respective division chairmen to abide by the CWC decision and avoid any activity that may be in conflict with the said decision.”

MIC is a component party of BN, a coalition that backs the unity government helmed by PH.

However, grassroots leaders were conspicuous by their absence during nomination yesterday involving PH candidates.

Despite BN and PH dubbing themselves “unity coalition” working hand in hand for the state elections, MIC seems to be on a different page.

MIC has also decided to sit out the polls but claimed it was not a boycott.

Even then, MIC deputy president M. Saravanan emphasised that the party’s machinery would fully support and help campaign for Umno candidates in the elections.

MIC secretary-general R.T. Rajasekaran, when contacted, did not authenticate the message but confirmed that the party’s stance for the polls.

“Yes, I think that (supporting only BN candidates) has already been decided,” he said, adding that the party members will only help BN candidates.

Recently, former Ijok assemblyman K.R. Parthiban justified his participation in a Perikatan Nasional (PN) hi-tea event in Tanjong Karang by stating that BN was not fielding a candidate for the Permatang seat.

“The message to MIC members from its leadership is clear, that is, to support BN candidates,” Parthiban said.

“About helping other parties, it remains a question mark. So for the (Permatang) state seat in the Tanjong Karang parliamentary constituency, it is contested by PKR.

“We’ve suffered a lot in the past from PKR supporters. I cannot imagine holding their (PKR/PH) flag, sitting in their tent and working together.

“If I was against BN, then I’m betraying BN. But it is a PKR candidate here.”

In the elections in Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu and Negri Sembilan, PH is fielding 138 candidates and BN, 108. – July 30, 2023.