MIC can rebuild in BN or risk the wilderness, say analysts

2026-03-22 - 02:40

MIC has been weighing the possibility of leaving BN to join PN, especially after last year’s annual general assembly deferred the decision to the leadership. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: MIC should remain in Barisan Nasional and rebuild its grassroots machinery, say analysts who warn that quitting the coalition now could further weaken the party’s already diminished standing. They said the party risks losing access to government resources, allocations, and key positions that it currently enjoys, as BN is part of the federal and certain state governments. Hisomuddin Bakar of Ilham Centre said the most pragmatic option for MIC was to stay in BN, even as the party chafes against Umno’s dominance over the allocation of seats and positions. He said MIC’s priority was clear: rebuild the party by aggressively connecting with Indian voters, introducing new leadership, and strengthening its electoral competitiveness. “Only with significant electoral strength can MIC restore its bargaining power with Umno and regain its political position in the next general election,” he told FMT. In a similar vein, Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said MIC members of the state executive councils in Johor and Melaka would eventually face political pressure to resign if the party leaves BN. “Technically, they would not have to resign immediately, but politically, the pressure to step down is almost certain,” he said. MIC maintains a limited presence in some state assemblies: one seat each in Pahang and Melaka, and three in Johor. In Melaka, its Gadek assemblyman P Shanmugan serves as the executive councillor for youth, sports, and NGOs. The party has been weighing the possibility of leaving BN to join Perikatan Nasional, especially after last year’s annual general assembly deferred the decision to the leadership PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan claimed that MIC had formally joined the coalition, but this was dismissed by MIC deputy president M Saravanan, who said the matter would instead be discussed at the party’s central working committee meeting on March 25. Sivamurugan also said timing matters, given that Umno is on the rebound, which could further marginalise MIC once it leaves BN. “For now, it is better to stay in BN and negotiate with BN chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for seats, roles and representation,” he said, adding that the opposition bloc was weak at the moment with a split in Bersatu and in PN. Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said BN’s improving prospects also favour MIC staying put. He pointed to signs of consolidation within Umno, including the return of Khairy Jamaluddin, sacked in 2023 for breaching party discipline, and the bid by former vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein to have his six-year suspension lifted. “BN is confident it will emerge as the dominant bloc after GE16, so it is better for MIC to remain with the dominant party,” he said. “If it goes with PN, it will remain in the opposition, and the number of seats it gets will likely be much fewer than what BN can offer.”