Without revealing their names, he said leaders who hold positions in the party will surely be given priority as candidates.

He said he would announce the names of MIC’s candidates on the Barisan Nasional ticket as soon as possible. “There may be changes if there are additional seats,” he told reporters after attending MIC’s annual conference today.

The party is expected to contest its traditional nine parliamentary and 18 state seats, while discussions are still continuing for additional seats.

Vigneswaran denied a media report that one of the items on MIC’s manifesto was to free former prime minister Najib Razak, who is serving a 12-year jail sentence on corruption charges relating to 1MDB.

Delegates at the MIC general assembly have unanimously approved a resolution authorising the president and central leadership to make decisions relating to the general election.

MIC deputy president M Saravanan said the move was to let the party take appropriate measures regarding seats or other matters to do with the elections.

“There are current issues regarding alliances with the opposition and there are BN component parties that decided to negotiate with the opposition.

“So, it is in MIC’s interest that the party is given the mandate to negotiate or make decisions on working with other parties if necessary,” he said.