MIC has pledged to work for the victory of Pakatan Harapan candidates after initially saying it would only stump for Barisan Nasional (BN) nominees in the August 12 state elections.

MIC president S.A. Vigneswaran made the pledge to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today who was at the Indian party’s headquarters for a meeting with its top leadership and grassroots leaders.  

MIC and MCA are sitting out the state polls after claiming they were being sidelined by Umno during seat negotiations with PH.

“I’m going to tell this in front of all of them (MIC members) that I’ve given you my word that none will work against PH and we will work for PH in this election,” Vigneswaran said. 

He said MIC members are aware of the prime minister’s efforts to help the Indian-based party and claimed that they will not betray him.

“They are aware that you’re taking the effort to acquire land (for MIC). I’ve told my members all that.

“So, I don’t think they will want to betray you despite all that.

“We will support you and I’m very frank about it,” the MIC president said. 

Earlier, The Malaysian Insight reported that MIC had advised its state leadership to snub PH candidates in state elections. 

According to a source, a consensus was reached by the party’s central working committee (CWC), which asked party leaders and members to only support BN candidates.

Meanwhile, Vigneswaran also brushed off reports that some MIC members intend to support opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN) while remaining in the party. 

“I can give my assurance as MIC president and I can vouch for my division. 

“(Reports of) some 50 members supporting PN… all that is bullshit. 

“I said it is bullshit because no one here will work against the instructions of the MIC leadership,” Vigneswaran said. 

At the same time, in the presence of BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Vigneswaran also openly said that the party is at a crossroads over its position as a coalition component. 

“When I see Zahid, I cannot talk. I was expecting him not to come,” he said. 

“Yes. We are at a crossroads but we cannot even make a decision because I’m quite fond of you (Anwar) now but BN is attached to everybody’s heart,” Vigneswaran added. 

Despite his uneasiness with BN, Vigneswaran said he could resolve his differences with Zahid over a durian feast at the latter’s home. – August 2, 2023.