MIC president SA Vigneswaran told reporters that the decision was also influenced by the Election Commission’s move to bar vice-president C Sivarraajh from contesting again.

“When (it was announced that) Sivarraajh could not contest, our confidence fell by 50%,” he said.

“That is why MIC gave way. (It) made us think about how we wanted to fight in this by-election and win the seat for Barisan Nasional (BN).”

He also referred to the temple incident, saying it was possible that the Malays would not go out to vote for “two Indians”. He was referring to DAP’s M Manogaran and MyPPP president M Kayveas, who will be contesting the seat in the by-election.

The riots at the Seafield temple last November saw an assault on fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kasim, who died from his injuries three weeks later. Cars were torched and several others injured.

Speaking after BN’s announcement of Ramli Mohd Nor as its candidate for the by-election, Vigneswaran said the coalition needed a candidate who could win.

“So this is a good and strategic decision,” he added.

Sivarraajh won the Cameron Highlands seat last May with 10,307 votes, beating Manogaran by a 597-vote majority. Other candidates were from PAS, Parti Sosialis Malaysia and Berjasa.

The by-election was triggered after the Election Court ruled Sivarraajh’s win was null and void due to corrupt practices to influence voters.

The Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat has traditionally been held by MIC.

Nominations will take place on Jan 12, which is this Saturday, with early voting slated for Jan 22 and polling day on Jan 26.

PAS has said it will not field a candidate for this by-election, the fourth since the May 9 polls last year.