MIC stays cool to Zahid’s stand on BN going solo

PRESS CONFERENCE PERHIMPUNAN AGUNG MIC — Barisan Nasional’s decision on contesting the general election will affect MIC as it considers whether to leave BN to team up with Perikatan Nasional, said party insiders.

PETALING JAYA:

MIC is not too excited by reports that Barisan Nasional is likely to go solo in the 16th general election, according to party insiders.

They said BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement was vague and had left open the possibility that BN would cooperate with other blocs, for practical reasons.

“BN going solo works best for us,” said a party insider, but Zahid’s statement was ambiguous and had left open the option of avoiding three-cornered fights. “If BN cooperates with Pakatan Harapan to avoid three-cornered fights, it is almost certain that MIC will not get to stand in seats that were lost to DAP and PKR candidates.”

The MIC source said the party would need a clear stand from the BN chairman before deciding on its next move. MIC is a co-founder of BN and an ally of Umno for seven decades, but has been considering leaving BN and joining the opposition Perikatan Nasional.

The party source said that Zahid’s announcement showed that he had mellowed and appeared to be more practical. However, he did not mention the coalitions that he will consider working with in GE16. “He has left it open and this puts MIC in a bind,” the source said.

In a media interview in conjunction with Umno’s 80th anniversary, Zahid said BN is “almost certain” of going solo at the next general election, although the party president has made it clear that flexibility remains on the table. He also said the coalition will not field candidates in all 222 parliamentary seats.

Another MIC source said BN’s reported intention to contest at least 115 parliamentary seats in GE16 to ensure that the coalition return to power meant that MIC may not be able to contest most of the seats it lost in 2022.

“If they are aiming at 115 seats, it is obvious that BN could cooperate with PH or PN to avoid three-cornered fights,” the source said. “This means only a handful will be given to MIC or MCA. And these will be tough seats as they will be in DAP strongholds mainly. To get the Malay votes under BN is not going to be easy,” the source said.

Currently, MIC has one parliamentary and five state seats. MIC members also hold two state executive council positions, 35 local councillor posts, several village headmen positions as well as the posts of special officers to the menteri besar of Johor and chief minister of Melaka.

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MIC stays cool to Zahid’s stand on BN going solo

Party insiders say MIC is in a bind as the BN chairman said the coalition must also consider cooperating with other blocs to avoid three-cornered fights.