Congrats to BN but 'condolences' to MIC, says Anwar's aide

An aide to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated BN's Ramli Mohd Nor after being elected as the first Orang Asli MP last night.

At the same time, Anwar's private secretary R Suresh Kumar (photo) also extended his "condolences" to MIC, as the BN component is now left with a single MP in Tapah.

"Ramli's victory in Cameron Highlands is expected. More so because it has always been a BN stronghold.

"So I congratulate Ramli. But, at the same time, I also extend my condolences to MIC for letting go of another seat due to pressure from Umno," Suresh told Malaysiakini.

"As far as I know, MIC and Umno acting president (Mohamad Hasan) have said that the (Cameron Highlands) seat was only loaned for this by-election.

"So now Ramli has won. Who will contest the seat in the future? MIC or Umno?"

Suresh claimed that MIC's move to give up its traditional seat to Umno is a sign of the party's lack of confidence in its own strength, unlike its BN colleague MCA, which contested under its own logo for the previous Balakong by-election.

"Now MIC is only left with one parliamentary seat. In future, it would be impossible for the party to reclaim (and contest) the seat.

"It is most likely MIC will be given another parliamentary seat, which, I predict, would be a mixed seat that has always been a Pakatan Harapan stronghold," he said.

'MIC no longer relevant'

For the record, MIC has contested and won the Cameron Highlands seat for BN since 2004, the last through its former Youth chief C Sivarraajh in the 14th general election.

Following the Election Court's ruling that overturned Sivarraajh's victory and triggered the by-election, it was reported that MIC had loaned the seat to BN, taking into account the current political climate where a Malay or Muslim candidate was seen to have a better winning chance.

Suresh also said the voting trend of Indians in Cameron Highlands is still leaning towards Harapan.

"The results of the Cameron Highlands by-election once again showed that MIC is no longer relevant to Indians in Malaysia.

"Although we lost in the by-election, Indian voters are still loyal to us. Not only in Camerons but also in Sungai Kandis, Seri Setia, Balakong and the latest in Port Dickson," he said.

Suresh said he believed this trend of support (for Harapan) is a sign that various slanders directed towards Harapan leaders did not gain traction among the Indian community.

"I'm confident that Indian support for Harapan will increase after Anwar becomes Malaysia's eighth prime minister," he added. - Mkini