KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 10 -- MIC is expected to decide on its political future within Barisan Nasional (BN) as early as February, with a party leader signalling that a long-speculated decision on whether to stay in the coalition will only be made after Thaipusam.

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan told the New Straits Times (NST) today that the party was deliberately holding back from any move while the Indian community focused on religious observances, and as Umno prepares for its general assembly this month.

"So, we will decide after Thaipusam. possibly early or mid-February. This January, there is the Umno general assembly. so we settle that first," he said when met in Tapah.

Saravanan, who is also the Tapah MP, said speculati...