MIC and its Youth division behave like "tigers" towards the opposition but turn into "timid mice" when facing their coalition leader Umno, claims DAP leader M Kula Segaran.

The DAP national vice-chairperson was referring to an incident yesterday, in which MIC Youth had arrived at DAP headquarters demanding its support, as well as Pakatan Harapan’s, for their claim that over 300,000 Indians are stateless in Malaysia.

"Why are MIC and its youth trying to behave like tigers against the opposition but are like timid mice when faced with Umno ministers?" Kula Segaran asked in a statement today.

He pointed out that when Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had announced earlier this year that non-citizen Indians in Malaysia would not be allowed to obtain identity cards, MIC Youth had kept quiet.

In contrast, he said, he had criticised Ahmad Zahid back then for his insensitive remarks towards the plight of stateless Indians.

"Why have MIC and its youth kept quiet? Why have they behaved like timid mice?" he asked.

He also claimed that the stunt by MIC Youth at DAP headquarters was an attempt to divert attention from the 1MDB controversy and MIC's own failure to handle the issue of stateless Indians in the country.

"MIC Youth should feel ashamed that they have come to ask DAP for help when their party has been in power for decades (and yet) has not been able to resolve the stateless Indians issue," Kula Segaran said.

He highlighted DAP’s efforts to champion the cause of stateless Indians, pointing out that he had previously called on the federal government to grant an amnesty to all persons who could prove they were born in Malaysia.

"Why has MIC not supported such a call till today?" he queried.