KLANG: Datuk Seri M. Saravanan did not mince his words when he voiced his disdain for the unity government for overlooking his party.
Speaking at a ceramah at Kuala Kubu Baharu on Thursday (May 2) night, the MIC deputy president said although MIC and its counterpart MCA had supported the government, both had been sidelined.
He said all the Barisan Nasional component parties had come forward and supported Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim which minted him as the prime minister.
“But they took all the positions and sidelined us," said Saravanan referring to Pakatan Harapan and Umno.
However, the MIC will continue to support Anwar and his government in spite of being disappointed for being overlooked, he added.
He also reminded the Indian electorate in Kuala Kubu Baharu to vote wisely and told them that voting for the Opposition candidate would mean slow progress in the constituency.
Although the Indians must show that they can bring a change in the voting pattern, they should not do it at the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election and must wait for the next general election to do so, said Saravanan.
“Show them what we Indians can do in the next general election," he said while reminding Indian voters to make the right choice in the upcoming by-election.
Saravanan explained that if the candidate who wins is from a component party in the Federal Government, many things can be done in the constituency.
Meanwhile, when contacted Kuala Kubu Baharu DAP branch chairman K. Balachandar said the Madani government needed more time to make things work for the Indians.
“There are three more years left for the next general election, let’s see if something is done by then," he added.
Balachandar said that although he and members of the Indian community were supporters of the current administration, they were also dissatisfied with several things.
He added it was very disappointing that there wasn’t a Tamil-speaking minister in the Cabinet.
“Secondly, we want the prime minister to be upright in telling us how many matriculation seats have been allocated for the Indian community," he said.
Balachandar also said the Indian community was unhappy that there were no significant poverty eradication programmes lined up specifically for the Indians.
“Do not waste time and money in researching and preparing a new blueprint for the purpose.
“There is already a blueprint that was prepared by the previous Barisan Nasional government. Just use it," he added.
The by-election was called in the constituency after the sudden demise of incumbent Lee Kee Hiong who is from DAP.
Indians make up about 20% of the voters and political observers have been quoted as saying that Pakatan needs to secure 80% of the total Indian votes to retain the seat.
