BAGAN DATUK: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed hope that MIC, a core component since independence, will remain with the coalition.
Zahid said while BN respects the autonomy of its component members, particularly core parties like MIC, he believes the coalition is stronger when its foundational members remain united.
The deputy prime minister noted that the recent return of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to BN has brought the number of core component parties to five, which he said should further strengthen the coalition.
“In BN, we maintain the stance that every component party, especially the core ones, must respect each other. Whatever decision MIC makes is its right.
“However, MIC has been a core party since the Alliance era alongside MCA and Umno. We hope these core parties will continue to be strengthened,” he told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony for the QL Innofood Park industry in Hutan Melintang today.
Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and QL Resources Bhd executive chairman Dr Chia Song Kun.
With PPP’s return, BN now comprises five component parties: Umno, MCA, MIC, and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).
Zahid had announced PPP’s reinstatement at the party’s 72nd Annual General Assembly on Jan 18, following the Home Ministry’s approval of its appeal against the Registrar of Societies’ 2019 deregistration.
Asked if he had contacted MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran regarding reports of the party potentially joining Perikatan Nasional (PN), Zahid said he would not interfere in MIC’s internal affairs.
Zahid, who is also Umno president, noted that Vigneswaran and MIC representatives were absent from the BN Supreme Council meeting in Kota Kinabalu on Jan 21 as they were abroad.
“During the meeting, the MIC president was overseas. Other parties, such as MCA, were represented by their deputy president, while others were represented by their respective presidents.
“We do not want to interfere in their internal matters. We are confident they will make the right decision for themselves and the coalition,” he said.
Vigneswaran was reported yesterday as saying that MIC would hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to discuss the party’s official participation in PN.
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