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Thursday May 9, 2013

GE13: MIC leadership told to take responsibility for poor result

By A. LETCHUMANAN
letchu@thestar.com.my


PETALING JAYA: The MIC leadership has been asked to take responsibility for the party's dismal performance in the recent general election.

Wanita MIC adviser Datin Paduka Jaya Parthiban and political commentator Dr Denison Jayasooria said the Indian community's confidence in the MIC had eroded drastically in spite of an increased support for Barisan Nasional currently.

Jaya said the four parliamentary and five state seats won by the party was mainly due to the community's confidence in Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“MIC cannot be proud of its achievement as the party lost two state seats this time,” she said.

In 2008, MIC won three parliamentary and seven state seats and added on another parliamentary seat after winning the Hulu Selangor by-election in 2010.

“MIC did not do well, so who is going to take responsibility for the poor performance?” she asked.

She also said Wanita MIC should be given a Senate post by the party leadership for its contribution during the election campaign.

Meanwhile, Dr Denison said many MIC seats were lost with big majorities, including some to Indian MPs from the Opposition.

“MIC faced Indians from the Opposition in five parliamentary seats but managed to win only the Cameron Highlands and Tapah seats while losing the Sungai Siput, Subang and Kapar seats,” he said.

Dr Denison, who is the former director of MIC's social arm Yayasan Strategik Sosial, said the party must review its membership and repackage its image to appeal to urban Indians.

“There has to be dramatic changes at the division level to identify younger people who can be groomed to lead the party.

“MIC must regain the confidence, of not just Indians, but also the Chinese and Malay communities,'' he said.

On Tuesday, former Pahang MIC Youth chief CK Chandran told an online news portal that Palanivel should take responsibility over the party's poor performance in the polls and resign as party president.

He had said that Palanivel should be blamed for the party's “lethargic” performance in the polls.

However, MIC vice-president Datuk M. Saravanan had defended Palanivel and said it was unfair to ask him to resign.

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