MIC to field 60% new faces in GE14

YONG PENG: MIC aims to field new faces in more than half of its allotted seats in the next general election.

Its president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the party was looking at having 60% fresh candidates in its line-up.

“We usually stand in nine parliamentary and 19 state seats throughout the country and we aim to have at least 60% new faces.

“In Johor alone, we have an allocation of one parliamentary seat and four state seats, for which new faces have been identified and are likely to represent the party,” he told reporters after launching the Johor MIC annual general meeting here on Friday.

The names of the shortlisted candidates, said Dr Subramaniam, had been submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for consideration.

“We have identified a few potential leaders for each seat in Johor and they will undergo screening before the selection is finalised,” Dr Subra- maniam added.

The Puteri Wangsa state seat, which fell to PAS in the last election, would be challenging, said Dr Subramaniam.

“We will discuss the fate of that seat with the Barisan leadership,” he said.

MIC seats in Johor are the Segamat parliamentary constituency – held by Dr Subramaniam – as well as the Gambir, Tenggaroh, Kahang and Puteri Wangsa state seats.

On reports that Umno was eyeing certain MIC seats, Dr Subramaniam said it was not unusual for grassroots leaders to make such suggestions.

“That’s a normal thing during any election. It is not the national Umno leadership but the ones at the grassroots who would often suggest that Umno should take the seat.

“But we don’t get very disturbed when such proposals are made at the division level because at the end of the day, the national Barisan leadership has the final say,” he said.

The Barisan top leadership, Dr Subramaniam said, decided on seats based on consensus and power sharing, which were vital factors.

“It is going to be a challenging general election and we cannot take things lightly.

“To ensure that we win our seats, we have to get greater support from the Indian community and increase interaction through various programmes, including state government initiatives,” he added.

We have identified a few potential leaders for each seat in Johor and they will undergo screening before the selection is finalised.

Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam