MCA, MIC to skip state elections

 

Amid the rigorous seat negotiations process between Pakatan Harapan and BN, MCA and MIC have decided not to contest in the upcoming six state elections.

However, the two BN component parties are prepared to assist candidates from their coalition.

“The MCA central committee in its meeting today decided not to contest in the state polls for Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

“This decision was reached after in-depth discussion and analysis and taking into account the current political situation, where the party will implement reforms and revival.

“During this period, MCA will focus more on preparing for the 16th general election (GE16),” the party said in a statement posted on Facebook this evening.

Meanwhile, MIC secretary-general RT Raja said the party’s central working committee (CWC) made a unanimous decision not to participate in the polls.

“This decision was reached after a discussion which lasted about four hours and after scrutinising the current political situation as well as hearing the views of each MIC member,” he added in a statement.

Raja said MIC’s decision has been communicated to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who heads the Harapan-BN government.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

Speculation on being sidelined

There have previously been reports that MCA and MIC were requesting to contest certain state seats.

However, there was also speculation that they were being sidelined in the seat negotiations between Harapan and BN.

The two coalitions, which are working together in the federal government, will be testing their first electoral cooperation in the upcoming state polls.

BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously given his assurance that the coalition will field candidates from MCA and MIC in the upcoming state elections and that they will be given winnable seats.

MIC deputy president M Saravanan at the time had denied his party was given any seat to contest in Selangor, amid reports claiming otherwise.

On July 3, Selangor MCA said they were waiting for a response from the BN leadership on a submitted request to contest five of their “traditional” state assembly seats.

The Election Commission today set the polling day for the six states on Aug 12, with a 14-day campaigning period. - Mkini