KOTA KINABALU: MIC Sabah chairman Datuk V Jothi is urging the Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership to consider giving the party an opportunity to contest in Sabah in the 14th general election.
Jothi said that the Indian community in Sabah must be given more opportunities in the state’s political arena so that they can contribute more to its development.
“I hope the BN leaders will look into this because we have been here for more than 20 years (and) I feel that it is only fair for them to consider to give us something, something better than what I have now so I can continue serving the people,” he told reporters when met at MIC Sabah’s annual Deepavali Open House here yesterday.
According to Jothi, there are about 13,000 Indians in Sabah and they are scattered throughout the state.
“If we are all living in one area there is no need for you to ask if we will request for a seat,” he said with a laugh adding, “to me it is very fair we have asked for the seat and the government to consider (the request).
“If they ask me to contest, I will try, there is nothing wrong in that because BN works on consensus and the component parties will work together to ensure that its candidate wins,” he said,
“We will wait and see as it is up to the BN leadership but there are other ways to accommodate us also in the state’s administration, not only by contesting in the election,” he said.
On the open house, Jothi said that it was a day after the actual date which was October 29 as they wanted to give their members the opportunity to perform their prayers and be with their family on Deepavali.
“I am very happy to see the huge turnout at our open house today which was also graced by Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, Toh Puan Norlida RM Jasni, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and his wife Datin Seri Faridah Tussin, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan and Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin, cabinet ministers and representatives from BN component parties,” Jothi said.
He added that the turnout at the open house by people from all walks of life reflects unity in diversity as Sabah has many ethnic groups.
Jothi extended MIC Sabah’s gratitude to Musa for always being concerned about the Indian community in the state.
“Even though we are a minority in Sabah, Musa is always attentive to our needs and requests. We can see many changes in the state since Musa became Chief Minister, a lot of transformation, development and this reflects a Chief Minister who is hardworking, active and can bring development to the rakyat.
“This is the way BN administers the state and country and I would also like to thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for allocating RM50 million to the Indian community and also the allocation for the Tamil schools.
“I urge the Indian community in Sabah to continue supporting the BN government and retain it. The BN government has given a lot to the Indian community in the state and country,” he said.