Zahid: 'Up to MIC to stay in BN or leave'

BN will not force MIC or any of its component parties to stay in the coalition, said its chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

According to the deputy prime minister, he believed MIC would make a "wise decision" during its annual general meeting next month and hoped it wouldn't be something the party would regret in the future.

"We are open, BN used to have 14 component parties, and there was no compulsion (for any party) to join or exit BN.

"Surely they would make a wise decision at the MIC annual general meeting to determine which coalition they want to join, as long as they do not regret it later," Zahid said, as quoted by Berita Harian.

He reportedly spoke to the media after launching an event in Shah Alam earlier today.

Zahid was responding to MIC president SA Vigneswaran's remarks last night, where he said the party would make a decision whether to remain in BN or otherwise during their assembly on Nov 16.

Vigneswaran told reporters after an event last night that MIC has decided not to invite anyone to the meeting, including Zahid, because it would be a one-day affair focused solely on internal party matters.

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."

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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