MIC wants to win back Malay Indian votes in next general election

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Indian Congress wants its four wings-Youth, Wanita, Putera and Puteri-to come out with strategies to win all the parliamentary and state seats allotted to the party in the next general election.

Party president S. Samy Vellu said they had the responsibility to ensure the Indian votes return to Barisan Nasional.

In the 2008 general polls, the MIC was given nine parliamentary and 19 state seats. It currently holds four parliamentary and seven state seats.

Opening the joint annual general meeting of the four party wings here on Sunday, Vellu said each wing had to ensure the registration of new voters was smoothly carried out.

Vellu, who had announced he would step down in September next year, said every leader must go to the ground to resolve the problems of the people.

“The women and youths are the decision makers for the MIC and the Barisan at the next general elections,” The Star quoted him, as saying.

“Our target is to influence them to support our party and the Barisan although they might not be keen to join the MIC. We must develop the skills to win their hearts through implementation of effective strategies,” he said.

Vellu also urged the leaders to resolve issues intelligently and be cautious when dealing with sensitive issues.

The party chief suggested that the four wings work as a single entity rather than have separate programmes for the people, adding that this would ensure better coordination and supervision of the activities on the ground. (ANI)