Look for candidate who understands Orang Asli, MIC tells DAP 'busybodies'

CAMERON POLLS | DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang and P Ramasamy should focus on their candidate for the Cameron Highlands by-election instead of meddling in MIC's affairs, said party information chief V Gunalan.

“DAP should not be a busybody. We advise them to pay more attention to the statements made by their candidate M Manogaran instead.

“If possible, look for a candidate who understands the feelings and culture of the Orang Asli in Cameron Highlands,” he told Malaysiakini.

Yesterday, Manogaran said BN's plan to field former Orang Asli senior police officer Ramli Mohd Noor could backfire as the latter would not be able to garner votes from the Malay community. 

“BN's calculation is, they think… They really don’t understand. You see, the Malays don't even buy kuih from Orang Asli vendors. I don't think they will go all out and vote for an Orang Asli.

“The Malays will ask 'How come we don’t have a Malay candidate? How come you put an Orang Asli?' Chinese, Indians will not vote for the Orang Asli (as well),” he had told Malaysiakini.

Manogaran (photo) said unlike the Chinese and middle-class Indians, the Orang Asli were dependant on the federal government's assistance.

The DAP candidate has since apologised for the statement.

Previously, Lim urged MIC to quit BN if Umno fields a candidate in Cameron Highlands, whereas Ramasamy demanded an explanation from MIC for not contesting in its traditional seat.

Meanwhile, Gunalan said MIC is merely loaning the Cameron Highlands seat to Umno based on the current situation.

“This does not mean MIC will not contest the seat in future,” he added.

Earlier today, MIC president SA Vigneswaran cited the riot outside the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya as one of the reasons the party withdrew from the race.

He said Malay voters might not come out to vote for an Indian candidate due to the incident, which led to the death of Fire and Rescue Department personnel Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.

In the last general election, MIC vice-president C Sivarraajh defeated four contenders in Cameron Highlands, edging past Manogaran by a margin of just 597 votes.

Last November, the Election Court nullified the results due to the commission of corrupt practices and ruled that a by-election be held. -Mkini