MIC CWC to decide whether to continue with BN? to join PN? or defer the decision?
KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) is expected to make its much-awaited decision today (Wednesday, March 25) whether to continue with the Barisan Nasional (BN) or break away from the coalition with which it has courted political affiliation for more than 60 years.
MIC’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meets today amidst conflicting signals from both MIC and PN. PN Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan recently claimed MIC’s application to join the coalition had been accepted. MIC Deputy President Datuk Seri M. Saravanan maintains that no formal application was ever submitted. Months earlier, there were reports that the party had merely sent an “enquiry” regarding the terms and conditions of a potential partnership.
MIC’s reluctance to join PN at this stage is attributed to several factors. Last year, the MIC’s general assembly unanimously passed a resolution to leave BN, but left the final decision to President Tan Sri S. Vigneswaran and the party’s Central Working Committee.
However, since then, internal turmoil has swept within BERSATU, while the leadership of PN has passed from Tan Sri Muhyiddin to PAS leader and Terengganu Menteri Besar, Ahmad Samsuri. Some political observers are doubtful whether the Indian community will still continue to support MIC, despite the party joining a coalition led by PAS.
Another consideration for MIC President and CWC members would be the Melaka and Johor state assembly elections, scheduled for December 2026 and early 2027, respectively.
MIC currently holds one state assembly seat in Melaka, Gadek, and its representative, Datuk Shanmugam, also holds the state EXCO member’s position.
In Johor, in the 2021 elections, MIC was allotted 4 state seats, of which it won 3. Altogether, BN won 40 seats, thereby forming the state government, without any support from other coalitions. BN Johor has already announced that, should there be a seat-sharing arrangement with Pakatan, BN would demand that it contest all 40 seats it won, including the 3 seats currently held by MIC.
Furthermore, MIC also holds an EXCO position in Johor, held by Raven Kumar Krishnasamy, the state assemblyman for Tenggaroh.
If MIC were to leave BN now, it would lose the EXCO seats in Melaka and Johor. MIC will also have to negotiate for winning seats in Melaka and Johor under PN. If MIC decides to join PN and thereafter PN fails to win the state assembly elections in Melaka and Johor, then MIC would also lose its EXCO positions in those states.
Given the unpredictable scenario ahead, political observers believe MIC will defer the final decision on whether to leave BN.
