Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has produced evidence to prove that MIC applied to join the coalition last year.
Takiyuddin said the application was made via a letter from the MIC president to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was then PN chairman, on Nov 15.
He said PN deliberated on the request before officially accepting MIC as a member party in December.
“MIC was among the founders of PN. However, because they remained in Barisan Nasional (BN) at the time, they later applied to be readmitted.
“I am clarifying today that we have proof of the application letter sent by the MIC president in November. If MIC claims they never applied to join PN, please prove it, because we have the records.
“In fact, on March 14, the application was officially confirmed during a PN meeting, which approved MIC’s entry into the coalition,” he told reporters at the Kelantan Pas Aidilfitri open house here today.
Takiyuddin added that following the approval, PN issued an official letter to MIC.
“However, following their meeting on March 25, MIC issued a media statement saying they would not join PN.
“It is no problem if they do not want to join. MIC only has one parliamentary seat, not 10. It does not affect PN.
“PN is sufficient with its four current member parties. I must stress that PN is not a party for sale, nor is it a hotel. Those who want to be members must apply.
“It is up to them. We are also currently processing several other applications from parties seeking to join PN,” he said.
The letter, signed by MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran and hand-delivered to Muhyiddin, was titled “Readmission into PN” and sought clarification on four matters, including whether MIC’s reentry would be automatic and unconditional, their leadership roles within PN, and PN’s agenda for the Indian community.
It was previously reported that MIC decided to maintain the status quo within BN following leadership changes in PN.
MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan reportedly said the decision to explore cooperation with PN was made during the party’s annual general meeting last year when Muhyiddin was still the coalition’s chairman.-NST
