MIC president: Zahid's speech was about Harapan's 'revenge politics'

MIC president SA Vigneswaran has defended the controversial campaign cue by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as his reference to the “revenge politics” that was practised by Pakatan Harapan after the 14th general election (GE14).

Zahid's recent speech has come under scrutiny after he suggested that BN leaders could face criminal trials if their coalition loses the next general election.

Speaking at the MIC annual delegates assembly on Monday, Zahid said this can only be avoided if BN has a "dominant victory" at the polls.

Vigneswaran said: “After his speech, Zahid told us that he was referring to possibilities of BN leaders who could be charged with wrongdoing, owing to pressure from Harapan leaders like what had happened after GE14.

“And opposition leaders who are currently facing trial will be released before the prosecution’s case is closed, if the opposition wins the general election again.

“Zahid was not referring to any particular BN leader who may be prosecuted for corruption,” he said.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Vigneswaran accused the opposition of twisting Zahid’s words to portray BN as evil and corrupt.

A video clip of Zahid’s speech at the event has gone viral on social media and shows Zahid saying: “If we lose, our fate is worse than GE14.

“It’s not just me who will be charged (in court), Tok Mat (Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan), you are on the waiting list.

“Tan Sri Vicky (Vigneswaran), don’t laugh… you are also included. What more (MIC deputy president M) Saravanan.”

Zahid went on to point at the MCA president and Transport Minister Wee ka Siong and said: “Ka Siong. They won’t forget you. You’ll be charged as well.

“(Defence minister) Hisham (Hishammuddin Hussein), don’t smile.

“To avoid this (issue), we must have a dominant victory in the GE15, brothers and sisters,” Zahid said in the video recording.

Meanwhile, Vigneswaran accused the opposition of continuously misleading the electorate by taking BN leaders’ statements out of context.

“It is very inappropriate for opposition leaders to take BN’s statement out of context for cheap publicity and mislead voters,” he said.

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