The 'effect' of MIC, MCA not contesting can only be seen after state polls

JOHOR BAHRU - It is still too early to predict whether the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and Malaysian Chinese Association's (MCA) decision not to contest in the six state elections will have an impact on Barisan Nasional's (BN) survival.

MIC Youth leader K. Raven Kumar said everything depends on the results of the state polls in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, which will be held on Aug 12.

"Maybe there is or maybe not; we can only tell after the results for the state polls in the six states are out," he told reporters after the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Persada Johor and United Global Compact Malaysia and Brunei at the Persada Johor Convention Centre on Monday.

Raven was commenting on the report concerning the future of BN after the two component parties decided not to participate in the state elections. The nomination of candidates was made on July 29.

He elaborated that the decision not to contest gave MIC room to strengthen the party's support first, adding that it was not difficult for the component party to win if it competed in the state polls.

Raven added that the MIC wants the cooperation of the parties in the Unity Government to be strengthened.

"Even if MIC does not contest in the state elections, we will still come down to help with the campaign to win together with Pakatan Harapan (PH)," he said.

Raven said the MIC will continue to follow the decisions made by BN for the sake of prosperity and stability, as well as focusing on the 6th General Election (GE-16).

In the meantime, Raven also refuted BN Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's claim that he failed to bring the interests of MCA and MIC in negotiations with PH.