MIC to skip Sabah polls, says it knows its limitations

The party's deputy president, M Saravanan, says it will not be 'over ambitious'.

MIC deputy president M Saravanan said he agrees with analysts that now is not the time to contest the Sabah state election.

PETALING JAYA:

 MIC has confirmed that it will not field any candidates in the upcoming Sabah state election after taking into account the political realities and the party’s capabilities.

“We know our limitations, so we won’t be over ambitious,” its deputy president, M Saravanan, told FMT.

MIC vice-president T Murugiah recently said the party might one day contest in Sabah to represent the Indian community.

Murugiah, who heads the MIC Sabah chapter, said if Chinese-based peninsula parties could contest in the state, MIC should be allowed to do the same.

He also said MIC could consider “joining a party” to ensure the welfare and needs of Indians in Sabah were met.

However, analysts have poured cold water over such ambitions.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara, and Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Lee Kuok Tiung said MIC would also struggle to overcome scepticism as a peninsula-based party.

Today, Saravanan said he agreed with both Azmi and Lee. - FMT