MIC is now moving forward with new spirit and inspiration in developing the Indian community towards a better future, said its president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

Subramaniam, who is also Health Minister, said with new and young faces in the leadership line-up, the 69-year-old party was determined to ensure the Indians could change for the better at least in three years' time.

"We (MIC) will focus on issues such as community development, education, economy and not merely on politics.

"The transformation agenda of the Indian community is very clear and proactive. Times have changed, in which we need to have an agenda that is aligned with the current needs," he said at the Pongal Festival 2016 celebration, organised by the Johor MIC, here, today.

Present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, MIC deputy president Datuk Seri S.K Devamany and Johor MIC chairman Datuk M. Asojan.

Dr Subramaniam said MIC was now on the right track and not weak as portrayed by certain quarters, and in fact, the party was more than capable of helping the Barisan Nasional (BN) win the next general election.

He said thus far there were over 3,500 MIC branches nationwide with over 480,000 members, which formed a formidable group of voters that would help BN.

"Sometimes people create wrong perception, as if MIC is weak. I would like to correct this perception and say that there is no party, no non-governmental organisations or even no groups representing the Indian community that is seen stronger than MIC," he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled in his speech said he would continue to provide support to the MIC leadership, whether at the federal, state or division level, in order to jointly develop the Indian community and the country.