IPOH: MIC today hit back at People’s Progressive Party (MyPPP) president Tan Sri M. Kayveas for making a statement that he is the best candidate to contest in Cameron Highlands, which is traditionally an MIC seat.
"My advice to him is...If you want to contest in the next general election, go for Pagoh seat in Johor. Because there, we already know that the Pagoh member of parliament (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) has become an opposition member.
"It is only logical. You should go and contest in Pagoh seat, don't ask for Cameron Highlands. It is a safer seat in Pagoh," said the MIC president Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam.
He said this in his speech at the Perak 71th MIC Convention which was held at the SRRI AKS Convention Hall in Jelapang here today. The convention was opened by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
Also present was MIC deputy president Datuk Seri S.K. Devamany and Perak MIC chairman Datuk V. Elango.
"I was upset to hear that he said if BN didn't give him a ticket to contest, he would be contesting as an independent candidate.
"But I want to tell him that...to contest as an independent candidate is out of my power. But I can tell, if any division chief came out with such a statement, he or she will be undoubtedly dismissed from the party," stressed Dr Subramaniam.
On Saturday, Kayveas said that he will contest the Cameron Highlands seat under the BN ticket or field himself as an independent candidate in the 14th General Election.
Dr Subramaniam who is also Health Minister said this matter would be further discussed with the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who is also the party president.
"The Prime Minister is the only one who can make this decision or any action that would be taken against Kayveas. I, personally, will make an appointment to meet him (Kayveas) to further discuss this matter," he added.
The Cameron Highlands seat was created in 2004 and was won by MIC’s Devamany in the 11th and 12th general elections held in 2004 and 2008.
In the 13th general election in 2013, Palanivel won the seat. He subsequently became independent after losing his membership due to a leadership crisis in MIC.