KUALA LUMPUR: MIC will not intervene and will leave it to Barisan Nasional (BN) to decide which of its component parties will contest in the Port Dickson by-election against incoming PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Its president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran said the decision was reached after taking into account the views of the party's supreme council members.
Apart from that, he said the decision was also taken after two Umno leaders; deputy and vice presidents, recently saying that the party was ready and would not decline if they were asked to field a candidate in Port Dickson.
Vigneswaran said while Port Dickson was traditionally an MIC seat, the party has agreed not to intervene.
"All decisions pertaining to which BN component party will contest is in the hands of BN central to determine.
"So it is up to the voters in Port Dickson to pick the best person to represent their constituency," he said at a press conference at MIC's headquarters, here, today.
Commenting further, Vigneswaran admitted that they have yet to receive any instructions or calls from Umno or BN to discuss the by-election.
However, Vigneswaran said he was a leader who stood by his decisions and would not make a u-turn.
"MIC and I will not make a u-turn," he said.
The Port Dickson seat, previously known as Telok Kemang had always been an MIC stronghold, however they lost it in 2008 and have not been able to wrest the parliamentary seat from PKR since.
The seat is now vacant after its incumbent from PKR, Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah announced his resignation yesterday in a bid to allow for a by-election for Anwar to contest in.
Meanwhile, Vigneswaran said the cooperation between MIC and PAS was based on cooperation of the two parties themselves and not other parties or leaders.
He said MIC will find suitable ways to continue their good ties with PAS.
He added that they had a meeting with PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang recently and their discussion touched on many issues.
"The meeting had a positive outcome and during the meeting, he (Abdul Hadi) also gave assurance that PAS' principles and struggles will not affect MIC.
"We are confident that the grassroots will be able to accept the decision to cooperate with PAS," he said.