The MIC deputy president says voters have the right to choose and this must be respected.
PUTRAJAYA: MIC deputy president Dr S Subramaniam today said the Chinese should not be called racist for voting against Barisan Nasional.
The Segamat MP told a press conference that the community merely switched their support from BN to Pakatan Rakyat.
“Taking their support to PKR and PAS into account, it is crystal clear that the Chinese are not racist,” he told reporters here.
“Before this, they backed the Malay candidates in BN but this time, they decided to support the Malays in PKR and PAS,” he added.
Subramaniam claimed it was similar to 2008, where the Indian community rejected BN which caused the coalition to lose four states and its two third majority in parliament.
According to him, the Chinese community are the decision makers in 165 parliament and state seats where all these seats comprise more than 40% Chinese voters.
“It is really sad to know that from the total of 165 seats, 96% was won by the Pakatan coalition and the remaining 4% was clinched by BN,” he said
“But, we have to accept reality. It was their right to choose. And it is not right to blame them for voting the opposition,” he added.
‘Don’t reject Cabinet posts’
Subramaniam also suggested that MCA and Gerakan should hold a roundtable meeting with prominent Chinese-based NGOs to identify the community’s problems and their anger against the BN government.
He also expressed concern on MCA’s decision not to take up any government posts.
“They must not leave the Cabinet. This is the time for them to fight and win back the hearts of the Chinese,” he added.
Subramaniam claimed that the lack of Chinese support was one of the main reasons that MIC failed to achieve its target.
“Originally, party president G Palanivel’s target was to win at least seven parliament and 15 to 16 state seats. But, we ended up with four parliament and five state seats only,” he said.
MIC maintained its four parliament seats but lost two additional state seats – Sabai in Pahang and Puteri Wangsa in Johor.
PUTRAJAYA: MIC deputy president Dr S Subramaniam today said the Chinese should not be called racist for voting against Barisan Nasional.The Segamat MP told a press conference that the community merely switched their support from BN to Pakatan Rakyat.
“Taking their support to PKR and PAS into account, it is crystal clear that the Chinese are not racist,” he told reporters here.
“Before this, they backed the Malay candidates in BN but this time, they decided to support the Malays in PKR and PAS,” he added.
Subramaniam claimed it was similar to 2008, where the Indian community rejected BN which caused the coalition to lose four states and its two third majority in parliament.
According to him, the Chinese community are the decision makers in 165 parliament and state seats where all these seats comprise more than 40% Chinese voters.
“It is really sad to know that from the total of 165 seats, 96% was won by the Pakatan coalition and the remaining 4% was clinched by BN,” he said
“But, we have to accept reality. It was their right to choose. And it is not right to blame them for voting the opposition,” he added.
‘Don’t reject Cabinet posts’
Subramaniam also suggested that MCA and Gerakan should hold a roundtable meeting with prominent Chinese-based NGOs to identify the community’s problems and their anger against the BN government.
He also expressed concern on MCA’s decision not to take up any government posts.
“They must not leave the Cabinet. This is the time for them to fight and win back the hearts of the Chinese,” he added.
Subramaniam claimed that the lack of Chinese support was one of the main reasons that MIC failed to achieve its target.
“Originally, party president G Palanivel’s target was to win at least seven parliament and 15 to 16 state seats. But, we ended up with four parliament and five state seats only,” he said.
MIC maintained its four parliament seats but lost two additional state seats – Sabai in Pahang and Puteri Wangsa in Johor.
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