Malaysian Indians urge Chinese to join government

The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has appealed to Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), partner in the country's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, to reconsider its decision to stay out of government positions following the May 5 general elections.

"If 28 percent of the population (Chinese) is not represented, it would have far-reaching impacts," the Malaysian Star newspaper quoted MIC deputy president datuk Seri S. Subramaniam as saying.

Though the ruling Barisan Nasional managed to cling to power winning 133 parliamentary seats, down from 138 it won in the last general elections in 2008, the MCA fared miserably this year, winning only seven seats, eight less than what it did in 2008.

Following what the country's media has dubbed as the "Chinese exodus", the MCA announced that it would not covet any government post despite being in the ruling coalition.

"We would like to encourage the MCA to stay on but it is up to them to analyse the results and make a decision from there," Subramaniam was quoted as saying at a press conference Wednesday.

The MIC won four seats in this year's elections, the same number it won in 2008.

Apart from the MIC and MCA, the third major constituent of the Barisan Nasional coalition is the United Malaysian National Organisation (UMNO).

Ethnic Indians comprise a little over seven percent of Malaysia's total population of nearly 30 million.