JOHOR BARU: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has dismissed talk of MIC pulling out of Barisan Nasional (BN).
He said MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan’s remarks were personal and did not reflect the party’s position.
“Did the party say it, or did he (Saravanan) say it? He can’t decide for the party.
“That’s just one individual talking… maybe out of anger or emotion. Let’s not worsen the situation,” he said, adding that party positions must come from collective leadership, not individual frustration.
“If MIC as a party makes a decision, then I’ll comment.
“But for now, we let it be. No need to stir things unnecessarily,” he said after opening the Pulai Umno division delegates’ meeting today.
Johari said no official decision had been made by MIC to exit the coalition, and as such, speculation should not be taken seriously.
Saravanan, who is Tapah member of parliament, had voiced his discontent in a media interview last month.
He claimed MIC was misled by BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi into believing MIC would be given cabinet posts for supporting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Feeling sidelined in the unity government, Saravanan hinted that continued cooperation may no longer be necessary.
His remarks drew a sharp response from Umno supreme council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, igniting a war of words between the two BN leaders on social media.
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