Saravanan: 'Friends of BN' candidacy can't be at MIC's expense

 

JOHOR POLLS | MIC was open to the idea of BN fielding candidates among "Friends of BN" as long as the party's four-seat quota was maintained.

Speaking to reporters in Johor Bahru today, MIC deputy president M Saravanan (above) said any decision on the matter would be decided by the BN leadership.

"Every time there is an election, all sorts (of people) want to be the candidate. People will ask for this and that. In the end, it is the BN leadership that decides. That is BN's strength.

"We have stated our position that we will not stop the BN leadership from allocating seats to 'Friends of BN', as long as you don't take our seats and give it to others.

"That would spoil our image," said Saravanan, according to Utusan Malaysia.

Saravanan said this when asked to comment on Makkal Sakti Malaysia's public appeal for BN to field their members as candidates for the upcoming Johor elections.

Makkal Sakti, formed in 2008, has yet to make its electoral debut.

Alongside Indian Progressive Front (IPF) and Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma), Makkal Sakti is part of the loosely defined group known as "Friends of BN".

During the 2018 elections, BN allocated four seats - Kahang, Gambir, Tenggaroh and Skudai - for MIC. The party won two seats.

Meanwhile, Saravanan said MIC will be involved in seat talks with Johor BN chief Hasni Mohammad tomorrow.

"This meeting will finalise the allocation. The MIC president's position is that we must be given the same seats (as in 2018).

"In BN, we practise power-sharing and we will come to a decision which is best for the coalition and the country," he said.

Hasni is expected to unveil BN's candidates for the Johor elections on Thursday (Feb 24).

Johor goes to the polls on March 12. Nominations will take place on Feb 26. - Mkini