'MIC can’t claim traditional seats in Penang after repeated losses'

 

Penang Deputy Chief Minister (II) P Ramasamy has dismissed a report that Penang MIC is seeking to contest some ‘traditional seats’ as part of the unity government’s line-up in state polls due later this year.

“How can MIC claim that Bagan Dalam and Perai are their traditional seats after having lost in the last three general elections - 2008, 2013, and 2018.

“The idea of a party traditionally holding seats loses its significance when a party or coalition consistently loses in those constituencies,” he told Malaysiakini.

This was after news portal FMT quoted sources as saying MIC is eyeing Bagan Dalam and Perai, which had been MIC strongholds from the 1970s until DAP won them in 2008.

“There is nothing wrong in MIC wanting to make comeback in Penang, but seat negotiations are between political coalitions and not individual parties.

“In other words, the MIC or MCA, for that matter, must take up the issue with the BN coalition,” he added.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister (II) P Ramasamy

The report emerged after top Penang MIC leaders paid a courtesy call on DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng on Saturday.

Penang MIC chief J Dhinagaran said that seat allocation was not discussed during the courtesy call, adding only state matters were discussed.

“I did not lobby for any seat. We had a good discussion with Lim about Penang matters. Our party president (SA Vigneswaran) will discuss seat allocation with leaders at the higher level.

“Being part of the unity government, we will be with them to ensure MIC members get voters to support Pakatan Harapan in the state elections,” he told FMT.

Ramasamy said that it was not yet clear whether BN would even be contesting.

Not fielding candidates

Last month, MCA president Wee Ka Siong said his party is considering a number of scenarios for this year’s six state elections and this includes the possibility of not fielding candidates.

“As it is, even though BN is part of the unity government, it is still not decided whether BN will contest in the coming state elections separately or within the broader framework of the unity government,” said Ramasamy.

Last week, Ramasamy rubbished a news report by The Star that said he is expected to be dropped as a candidate in the upcoming Penang state polls.

The DAP lawmaker pointed out that the list of potential candidates has not even been submitted to the central leadership.

“I want to serve my party for one more term. I have stated this publicly.

“I leave it to the party to make the decision,” he told Malaysiakini at the time. - Mkini