Indian 'kiss of death' takes its toll on BN with exodus from MIC

For the Hindu community, it was a kiss not to be remembered, especially when it landed on the cheek of a person who insulted their religion and uttered racist remarks.

The choice of a zealot like Zulkifli Noordin as BN's Shah Alam parliamentary candidate at the coming elections continues to spell trouble for BN, especially coming only weeks after video clips of him using racist language to describe the Indians went viral.

In the latest development, 104 members of the Shah Alam division of MIC showed their displeasure by quitting the Indians-only party.

The action throws a spanner in Zulkifli's scramble to assuage the Indian community's anger with promises of new temples.

Yesterday, UMNO president Najib Razak urged Indians to forget the insulting remarks by Zulkifli, claimed that Indians had been warming up to him, and alluded to a photograph of an Indian man clad in BN shirt kissing him on the cheek.

But more importantly, the exodus could be a prelude to more problems ahead for the BN vis-a-vis Indian support, as warned by MIC leader S Vell Paari recently.

C. Supayah, Shah Alam MIC's vice-chairman, said many had called him to congratulate him for quitting MIC.

"The main reason (for quitting) is due to the candidacy of Perkasa's Zulkifli, who has insulted the Indians and Hindus," he said.

Supayah added that the community also took issue with Shah Alam UMNO chief Ahmad Nawawi Mohd Zin for leading the infamous cow-head protest in 2009 against the construction of a Hindu temple.

Zulkifli is one of two Perkasa leaders contesting with BN's backing, the other being Ibrahim Ali, who was given way in Pasir Mas by the BN nominee.

Though a Malay-majority electorate which the BN claims to enjoy support from, votes from Indians who constitute 15 per cent in Shah Alam are crucial for a BN victory.

-Harakahdaily