KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Malaysian Indian Congress deserves consideration to be given representation via a nominated seat at the state or federal level.
Its chairman Datuk V Jothi in disclosing this yesterday described the request as “not asking too much”, especially when they have been here for over a decade, working alongside other Barisan Nasional component parties to further strengthen its hold in Sabah.
“Sabah MIC was formed in Sabah 15 years ago. If we are given representation via nominated seat at the state or federal, or senatorial, it would give us the boost and serve the people better especially the Indian community in the state, while we help to improve the party’s image in the state,” he said.
Jothi said that the Indian community in Sabah has long waited for such opportunity, adding that it is worth to be given a fair consideration.
Asked whether he would prefer to be considered for the six nominated assemblymen, Jothi added that it is under the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman’s prerogative to decide on the issue.
He was commenting on Sabah MIC Youth who reiterated a call to the state government to be given consideration to play their role as senator or representation via nominated state or federal seat in the state.
“I agree with their call and hope it can be considered. We are not trying to force anybody, but I feel that we deserve to be given the fair chance, despite being a minority in Sabah.
“However, having said that, despite not getting the privilege, we would continue to show our support to the BN government,” he told reporters during a press conference after presenting cheque amounting to RM200,000 to five Indian organisations at the Sabah MIC Liaison office, here.
The Sabah MIC Youth had recently reiterated its appeal to the state government to be given representation via nominated seat at the state or federal level.
“It is about time that Sabah MIC be given greater recognition for its role in the BN,” said Sabah MIC Youth chief, Taren Sunil Manoharan, adding that other BN component parties are also seeking more representation.
Stressing that they are part of the ‘BN family’, Taren Sunil said that they can play a fuller and more effective role if given a nominated seat in the state assembly or a senatorial at the Federal level.
“Although the Indian community in Sabah is small, we still need a voice. We want a platform to air our views and present our ideas. Besides, having an MIC representative does not mean that we are only a voice for the Indian community. In the spirit of 1 Malaysia, MIC Sabah, has always fought for the interests of all races,” he added.
Singling out the spirit of the Sabah State Constitution when it was first drafted, he reiterated that the nominated assembly seats were mainly created with the intention to give minority groups residing in Sabah a chance to have a say in the State Assembly.
He further pointed out that it is a fact that Indians had previously been appointed as nominated assemblymen.
“I urge the Sabah Government to revive that spirit. The state government could also nominate and support the appointment of a senator as well from Sabah MIC. Such a move would further strengthen the fact that the BN Government is a government for all, including the minorities.
“Indians in Sabah face problems peculiar to them here which may not necessarily be the same as those faced by Indians in Peninsular Malaysia,” he argued.
Taren Sunil said the Indian community in Sabah has a long history and it cannot be denied that they have made substantial contributions to the progress and development of the state.
Although, he added, there is no Indian majority seat in Sabah or Malaysia for that matter, they are nevertheless a sizable minority who could make a significant difference to the Governing Coalition.
“Of course if the Sabah Government grants us our request, Sabah MIC would act in full accordance with the BN policy of taking care of all races even though we are an Indian-based party.”