KLUANG – "We will make sure that Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah will never sleep after winning the seat," says MIC president Tan Sri Vigneswaran Sanasee.
Speaking at the 'Otrumai Vizha' gathering of BN and MIC supporters last night, Vigneswaran vowed to keep Syed Hussien on his toes should he secure victory.
He stressed the high stakes of the election, emphasising that a win for BN would reinforce the coalition's political strength and relevance in Malaysia's shifting landscape.
"If BN wins, it can prove that the party remains strong. Look at all the programmes we’ve implemented. That is why BN is important," he said, referring to BN's proactive stance on various public issues.
Drawing on BN's historical legacy, he highlighted the coalition’s vital role in shaping the nation over the last five decades.
"For the past 50 years, we've governed this country because we know what is important. We know how to cater to all races," he said.
He acknowledged the generational divide in political perceptions, pointing out that while the younger generation may not fully grasp BN’s legacy, older Malaysians remember the era when BN’s leadership brought stability and prosperity.
"The younger generation may not fully understand BN’s legacy but the older Malaysians know what BN is – ‘aman dan makmur’ (peaceful and prosperous),” he said.
Vigneswaran also defended BN’s decision to rejoin the government in 2022, describing it as a pivotal moment in the nation’s political history.
"The decision made that day was a good decision. If BN wasn’t part of the government today, would all of this have happened?" he asked, crediting BN’s involvement for various governmental initiatives that have benefited communities across the country.
Urging Indian voters not to take their support for granted, he stressed the importance of collective action.
"Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that just casting your vote is enough. You must ensure that your family, friends, and everyone you know comes out to vote," he said.
With the Mahkota seat being closely contested, BN aimed to secure a significant win to bolster its political standing.
The Sep 28 by-election sees a straight fight between BN's Syed Hussien and PN's Haizan Jaafar. Early voting is set for Sept 24.
The election was triggered by the death of former assemblyman Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain on Aug 2.