‘Principles of power sharing cannot be compromised’

KUALA LUMPUR: The principles of power sharing cannot be compromised by any party in the Barisan Nasional coalition, said MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said power sharing was an important concept, adding that MIC must be given a chance to contest seats it stood in before.

“We hope that BN component parties realise this and agree to the consensus concept adopted by the coalition.

“This is what unites us and will unite us,” he said in his presidential address at the 71st MIC general assembly here yesterday.

Dr Subramaniam said traditionally, MIC candidates contested in constituencies where there were many Indians in the community, but were not the majority.

He said as the country’s demographics changed, the political demographics shifted as well.

“Since independence, the country has been led by the Alliance Party until BN was formed.

“MIC has been with Umno and MCA since Alliance Party days and has continued this historical cooperation until today,” he said, adding that the tradition of power sharing could prosper and develop the country.

Dr Subramaniam, who is also health minister, said since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak took the helm, the government had implemented initiatives to put the Indian community on a par with the nation’s development.

In expressing his gratitude, he said MIC would take drastic measures to ensure the confidence of the Indian community in BN.

He said MIC would “aggressively strive” to ensure more Indian voters cast their ballots for BN.

Later, at a press conference, he said the party had identified its candidates for the 14th General Election.