KUALA LUMPUR: Past differences in opinions between MIC and Umno are akin to quarrels among members of a family, said MIC central working committee member Datuk P. Kamalanathan.
He said clashes of opinions do not mean all isn't well among Barisan Nasional's (BN) component parties.
"We are one family. Yes, at times we have issues but we have sorted them out through discussions to find solutions, and we move forward.
"Historically, MCA, MIC and Umno have been together for a long time, in good times and bad.
"Even between husband and wife, there are arguments yet they find a way (to remain together). You cannot take wholesale what you read in news reports," he said in an interview with the New Straits Times' Beyond the Headlines .
He cited the campaigning for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election in May as a reflection of the strong cooperation between MIC and Umno.
"We worked together to produce a good outcome. If there is another by-election, we will work together again.
"It is a journey and we have not reached the destination. We will work together as long as the coalition is together."
Kamalanathan also rebuffed claims that MIC is the weakest link in BN.
"In a family of seven or eight siblings, not all them will be successful at the same time. Someone will do well, someone will not. Having said that, it is the responsibility of the person who's doing well to give a hand to the one who isn't."
Kamalanathan also commented on the relationship between MIC and other parties in the unity government.
"I think MIC has an excellent relationship with the unity government. Of course, it would be better if our sole representative (Tapah member of parliament Datuk Seri M. Saravanan) is given a respectable or proper position in the government.
"Having said that, we are working closely with the unity government. And the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has been very supportive of us."
