KLANG: MIC has rebuked Umno for its decision to break ties with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), saying it needs to give its reasons for doing so.
Party president Tan Sri S. Vigneswaran said that despite Umno's unilateral decision, MIC will continue to support Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's administration for the time being.
He said if new alliances can be made by the Barisan Nasional, he does not see why they cannot work with Bersatu in the next general election.
He added that MIC will continue to support the Perikatan Nasional (PN)-led government until new developments take place in the Barisan Nasional (BN).
Vigneswaran said this in his policy speech at the party's 74th annual general meeting at the Wyndham Acmar Hotel here today.
He said the PN government had given a ministerial position to the party when Datuk Seri M. Saravanan was appointed as the Human Resources minister despite BN not nominating him.
He said BN also did not suggest any MIC candidates for deputy minister or senator's posts.
The proceedings were followed online by Muhyiddin, who later addressed the delegates.
On Umno's decision to sever ties with Bersatu, he asked if Umno's decision must be agreed by the MIC or BN component parties.
Vigneswaran said Umno had asked MIC to sacrifice more than 30 per cent of its seats in the next general election, but reminded Umno that MIC only had and was keen in contesting its nine traditional seats.
He said MIC needs to ensure Indians are in the government and not left behind.
"I mean winnable seats. Don't try to insult us by giving us 'sure lose' seats.
"If this is Umno's advice to MIC, I see no reason why Umno cannot sacrifice at least 10 per cent of its seats too."
He said BN was not based on the concept of winning at any cost but more on ensuring its members and people win.
With this in mind, he said the people's confidence can only be achieved if the cooperation between PN and BN prioritised people's needs.
He said any differences between Umno and Bersatu can be resolved as even long-time nemesis Umno and Pas have done so.
Touching on those blaming MIC for not being able to garner the support of Indians, Vigneswaran said many so called "Friends of BN" were given allocations and resources at the expense of MIC, making it look weak in the eyes of the community.
"Even when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the Prime Minister, he did not sideline MIC and this had kept the party strong at the grassroot level, contributing up to 80 per cent of Indian votes until 2008."
Later in a press conference, he said the time had come for change as it's not just about winning elections but is more towards integration.
When pressed on MIC's direction, he merely said the party was neither in disagreement with other parties nor in agreement.