It is common for Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to champion the interests of their communities to remain relevant in this country.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was because the original objectives of setting up UMNO, MCA and MIC was to protect the interests of their respective communities.

"We have to understand the role of the parties, if UMNO does not fight for the Malays, the MCA for the Chinese and the MIC for the India, they would not be relevant," he told reporters after visiting the Sang Riang Old Folks Welfare Home in conjunction with Chinese New Year, Monday.

Earlier, he visited the open house of the Chinese community here.

Ismail Sabri who is also the member of parliament for Bera said UMNO, MCA and MIC were still united under BN despite the different roles of the parties.

He also urged the public not to be sensitive when a party tries to fight for its own community.