MIC cites temple riot for pulling out of by-election

MIC's decision not to contest in the Cameron Highlands by-election is related to the riot outside the Sri Maha Mariamman in Subang Jaya on Nov 27 which led to the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.

"The reality is that we have the Seafield (temple) problem where the Malay (voters) may not come out to vote for two Indian candidates," he said, referring to Pakatan Harapan also fielding an Indian candidate, DAP's M Manogaran.

"The truth is, we need to put a candidate who can win. So, this is a good and strategic decision," he told the media after BN named former Orang Asli senior police officer Ramli Mohd Nor as its candidate in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

Apart from the temple issue, Vigneswaran said MIC's confidence of winning the seat declined by 50 percent after its former Cameron Highlands MP C Sivarraajh was barred from contesting.

He pointed out that Sivarraajh had worked in the constituency for years.

In the last general election, Sivarraajh beat 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.

[More to follow] - Mkini