KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional has resolved to let Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob decide on when to hold the next general election, says MIC president Tan Sri S. Vigneswaran.

       He said the decision by all Barisan Nasional component parties – including MIC, MCA and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) – has been communicated to Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

       "The three component parties of Barisan have decided to hand over the responsibility of holding the general election at the discretion of the Prime Minister,” said Vigneswaran.

       "This wish has been communicated to the honorable Barisan chairman this morning," he added in his speech at the MIC general assembly at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) here on Sunday (Dec 12).

       In his address, Vigneswaran also spoke about the concerns of non-Muslims on the freedom of religion following recent events such as Kedah's ban on 4D lottery shops in the state and also the policy requiring all restaurants and coffee shops to obtain a liquor licence to sell beer.

       "For me this is not just about the question of 4D shops or even beer sales but it touches on a bigger question, which is what's next," he said.

       Vigneswaran also expressed his “regret and disappointment” at those accusing multi-stream schools of hindering racial unity in the country.

       He added that those who did not understand the history of the country were making the calls for vernacular schools to be abolished and for only one type of school to be allowed.

       "Multi-stream schools are part of Malaysia’s DNA. Furthermore, without a compulsory language education implemented into the mainstream national schools, let us be warned that it will have dire consequences on the development of mother tongue languages," he said.

       Vigneswaran added that systematic efforts to disrupt the way of life of the society and said that such provocation and behaviour could devastate stability and security if not handled wisely.

       "At the same time, MIC would like to propose drafting a Bill to control all forms of racist provocation and preserve the racial harmony within our multiracial society. We won't allow anyone to hijack our national unity," he said.