Zahid met MIC leaders? News to me, says a surprised MIC supremo

MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran was surprised over the claims that made by BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid in an interview with Mingguan Malaysia claimed that he had met MIC leaders on numerous occasions last week.

The meetings were made amid simmering tensions between MIC and Umno which has led to several state MIC chapters calling for the party to chart its own way away from BN.

The Umno leader also claimed that some leaders were making a fuss when did not get ‘toys’, he said, in reference to cabinet positions.

In addition to that Zahid had claimed that a study by BN revealed that MIC grassroots were not in favour of MIC quitting BN.

Vigneswaran said he met Zahid in his capacity as MIC chief two years ago.

“I also met him about three months ago. I was at a national unity meeting which he also attended,” FMT reported.

The MIC leader also confirmed that he had not met Zahid to discuss MIC’s position in BN following talks that it may leave BN for the federal opposition coalition, Perikatan Nasional.

He added a meeting with Zahid that was supposed to take place on Thursday was also postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

“So I am very surprised by his remarks. I really don’t know who the leaders he had been talking to are. As far as we are concerned, any discussions must be done with the top leadership,” he said when asked to comment on news reports quoting Zahid on the matter.

Responding to Zahid’s claims, Vigneswaran stressed that MIC was not interested in government positions and dismissed the study.

“I was not aware of such research,” he said.

On the other hand, he said the MIC leadership had already met the divisional committee members of most of the key states and received some very encouraging and sensible feedback.

“They, too, were concerned about how MIC is being treated by the BN leadership. They want the party to be treated with some dignity. They told the CEC to do what it thinks is best for MIC’s future,” he said, referring to the central executive committee.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong meanwhile brushed off Zahid’s allegations.

“The MCA has never pleaded for toys, let alone thrown tantrums. What we demand is respect, fair treatment, and a return to the founding spirit and principles of the Alliance Party that gave birth to Barisan Nasional. The MCA will continue to be a party that speaks up for the people.

“I also emphasized that Malaysia must promote education and nurture talent in a fair and just manner for all communities.

“As a responsible political party, the MCA consistently monitors and advocates for transparency in university admission policies. We want to ensure that every outstanding student has the opportunity to pursue their chosen field of study and remain in Malaysia, rather than letting their talents be lost abroad,” Wee said in a Facebook post.