MIC's AGM: Zahid, others not on guest list

MIC has decided not to invite anyone, including BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to its upcoming annual general meeting (AGM) on Nov 16.

Party president SA Vigneswaran said this was because this year’s AGM would be a one-day affair focused solely on internal party matters.

“No one will be invited, including Zahid. This AGM is for MIC delegates and representatives only. This is nothing new. MCA has previously held its AGM without inviting anyone.

“So, MIC is taking the same approach this time. I will officiate the AGM myself,” he told reporters after chairing the party’s central working committee (CWC) meeting in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Asked if the meeting had discussed whether the party would remain in or leave BN, Vigneswaran replied, “Wait for the AGM (where the decision will be made).”

“If we want to make our own decision, what’s wrong with that? We were once part of the government, and now there’s a new team (Pakatan Harapan). What matters is that we must have seats to contest.

“Some still criticise us for the failures of the previous government. But even though MCA and MIC were part of BN, it was Umno that actually governed the country. So if anyone wants to place blame, blame Umno - not MCA or MIC,” he said.

Widening rift

The internal rift between MIC and Umno widened after Vigneswaran previously labelled Zahid, who is both BN chairperson and Umno president, a “liar.”

He made the accusation in response to Zahid’s claim that surveys had shown MIC and MCA members did not want their parties to leave BN.

Vigneswaran added that Zahid should instead focus on gathering feedback from Umno grassroots about the loss of Malay support, particularly in Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis.

Both MIC and MCA are assessing the possibility of exiting BN, amid dissatisfaction with their political standing, especially after Umno, under Zahid’s leadership, forged cooperation with Harapan.

Their main concern lies in the allocation of electoral seats, which they believe favours incumbent parties.

Under the BN-Harapan seat-sharing formula, MCA and MIC are expected to receive only a small number of seats to contest in the next general election.

At present, MCA holds two parliamentary seats, while MIC has one.

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