THE Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) has indicated that it would back any Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate for the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election and would not demand the seat for itself.

Its president Punithan Paramsiven said that the party may opt to not make its electoral debut in this by-election.

Although the party has yet to be accepted into the coalition, Punithan said backing PN’s candidate was a sign of showing its loyalty. 

“Whoever PN names as the candidate in KKB, we will give our full backing and work hard to ensure the coalition gets the Indian support. 

“We are aligned with PN,” Punithan told The Malaysian Insight. 

Punithan said PN leaders will be meeting after Hari Raya to discuss potential candidates for KKB.

Earlier, an Indian group called for PN to name an Indian candidate for the upcoming KKB by-election. 

Urimai’s interim council chairman and former Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy said Indian voters are set to be the kingmakers in the state constituency, and as such, PN should take advantage of this situation.

KKB is set to see a by-election following the death of its three-term assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong, from DAP/Pakatan Harapan, on March 21.

The Election Commission fixed May 11 as the polling day for the by-election, with candidate nominations taking place on April 27. 

On the progress of being accepted into the opposition coalition, Punithan said the party has attended several meetings with PN leaders and that they are awaiting an official announcement. 

“Maybe it (announcement) can be expected soon.

“Let’s just hope for the best,” he said. 

Punithan, who is also the deputy chief of PN’s Indian committee, said MIPP seeks to strengthen Indian support for the coalition.

Empty promises

Former minister P Waytha Moorthy, meanwhile, urged KKB’s Indian voters not to fall for coalitions that give them empty promises.

Waytha, who now heads the Indian-based Malaysian Advancement Party, said there was a serious need to embrace real Indian leaders who would contribute to society and the country.

“All they want is to continue using Indians as cheap labour and free vote banks to fulfill their political agenda. 

“The Indians will only be visible to them during election seasons and after that forgotten”, he added.

Waytha urged the Indian community in KKB to send a clear message to PH and PN that their votes are not to be taken for granted. 

MAP leaders remain coy when asked if the party would contest in KKB as an independent.

Malays form about 46% of the voters in this state constituency, followed by Chinese (30.65%), Indians (18.02%) and others (4.98%). 

It has traditionally been contested by candidates from MCA/BN and DAP. In the state elections last year, PN gave the seat to a Gerakan candidate. MCA/BN, meanwhile, sat out in favor of its ally PH. – April 22, 2024.