DATUK Seri M. Saravanan said he has instructed MIC branches in the Tapah Division, as well as the women’s, youth, and young women’s wings to activate their machinery to go to the ground, to assist the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in the upcoming Air Kuning by-election.
The party deputy president said the 15% Indian voters in the Air Kuning state legislative assembly is significant in helping the BN candidate’s victory.
“MIC will discuss with the BN leadership to focus on resolving the people’s problems and infrastructure development projects. We are particularly concerned about the welfare and needs of the people, including the youth,” Saravanan, who is also the Tapah MP, remarked.
“The number of registered voters is expected to increase, and we will identify young voters (in the state constituency). Continuous engagement and meetings must be held with young voters so that they are with us.”
Yesterday (Feb 26) BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party will shortlist candidates for the Ayer Kuning by-election in Perak based on the criteria of “Wali” which stands for winnable, acceptable, and likeable.
These three key qualities are expected to guide the selection process, ensuring that the chosen candidates align with the party’s goals and resonate well with the local electorate.
Zahid, who is also the UMNO president, said he will hold talks with Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and others to pick a suitable candidate.
Speaking to reporters at the launch of a new agricultural initiative by Felcra Berhad, Zahid said they will give an opportunity to all groups before shortlisting the potential candidates.
The Ayer Kuning seat fell vacant after its assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin, 59, who led the Tapah Umno Division since 2018, collapsed and died following a heart attack in Penang on Feb 22.
The first-term assemblyman won the seat with a majority of 2,213 votes during the 15th General Election, securing 9,088 votes in a five-cornered contest.
Meanwhile, United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council chairman Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy believes that many Indians continue to distance themselves from UMNO and the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led Madani government.
“The painful memories of marginalisation under UMNO’s rule are not easily forgotten. The presence of MIC in BN does little to change this perception,” he wrote in a recent Facebook post.
“Furthermore, there is growing resentment towards Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration which is seen as having failed to address key issues affecting the Indian community.
“Instead of progress, Indians see an oppressive government that has immobilised their economic and social development.”
In this context, Ramasamy said Urimai will launch a focused campaign urging Indians not to vote for UMNO or the PH-led government.
This campaign will not be in support of Perikatan Nasional (PN) either as the opposition coalition has yet to demonstrate any real commitment to non-Malay rights, he added. – Feb 27, 2025
Main image: Bernama
