IS it true that the MIC, its leaders and members have been reduced from orphans to refugees? This statement comes from none other than Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran, the current president of the MIC.
It shows how the MIC and the MCA have been unfairly treated by UMNO, especially its leaders such as president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Vigneswaran made the statements to the press after officiating the Penang state MIC gathering on Friday August 8, 2024.
He went on to say that while the MIC was loyal to the BN, such loyalty is not being reciprocated by the UMNO leaders.
UMNO has the habit of making decisions without consulting MIC or MCA leaders. Once, the BN component parties were forbidden to cooperate with the PH coalition.
However, when UMNO decided to cooperate with the PH, MIC and MCA were told to blindly follow.
Nonetheless, Vigneswaran went on to say that in the coming general elections, the MIC will establish working committees in 125 constituencies to assist the present ruling coalition.
He lamented the fact that although the MIC contested in 10 parliamentary constituencies in the last general elections, it only won the Tapah parliamentary seat.
Vigneswaran also took a swipe at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim by saying that the only MGR (Tamil movie industry icon) that captured the imagination of the Tamils is dead and gone.
There cannot be another MGR alluding to the fact that Anwar used to dance to the songs sung by the Tamil actor and icon.
It is not clear why Vigneswaran is sore with Anwar. Perhaps this is related to the fact that MIC leaders were not given any political positions despite his promise.
I seriously doubt that the MIC would be given 10 parliamentary seats to contest in the next general elections.
This has nothing to do with the treachery by UMNO. The fact is, MIC which was once the grand old party of the Indians has virtually lost support in the Indian community.
How the MIC will establish its credentials as a credible political party with Indians remains to be seen.
However, if the MIC leaves the fold of BN or the PH-ruling coalition, there is a possibility that the MIC could re-invent itself by taking up the community’s various issues boldly without fear or favour.
Is the MIC prepared to do this? Is Vigneswaran courageous enough to throw the towels once and for all to part company with the PH-led coalition or BN?– Aug 11, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: www.scmp.com
