KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 — The two main component parties of Barisan Nasional, MCA and MIC, announced today they will not field any of their candidates in the impending state elections.

In separate statements issued today, MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon and his MIC counterpart RT Rajasekaran said that the parties still pledge their allegiance to BN and will focus their energy on the next general election instead.

“The MCA Central Committee in its meeting today has decided not to contest in the state elections for Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan,” Chong said in MCA’s statement.

“This decision was reached after in-depth discussion and analysis, as well as taking into account the current political situation, where the party will carry out reforms and revival. During this period, MCA will focus more on preparing for the 16th General Election.”

Chong said MCA will continue with its responsibility as BN component, however, and support the coalition throughout the state election.

Separately on Facebook today, MIC secretary-general RT Rajasekaran said the party will also not participate in the state elections.

He said that the decision was made after a four-hour long meeting at central leadership level on June 30.

“However, MIC will continue to play its part as BN component party,” he said.

The MIC official then expressed concern about BN election director Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s prior announcement that seat allocations were finalised, saying this was not discussed by the BN supreme council or with the components.

Previously, MCA and MIC were reportedly left out seat negotiations among parties in the national unity government, with BN lynchpin Umno being the sole representative for the coalition.

Last week, BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi promised that both MIC and MCA would receive choice seats to contest in the six state elections.

Earlier today, Election Commission (EC) has announced that polling day for the Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu elections will be on August 12.

Nomination day will be on July 29, giving candidates 14 days to campaign officially, EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh said in a press conference.