Umno’s renewed unity sees MIC pause PN plan, says insider

2026-03-20 - 03:50

MIC has been frustrated over the lack of proper treatment by Umno, especially as regards seat allocation, a party source tells FMT. PETALING JAYA: Renewed unity within lead Barisan Nasional component Umno has prompted MIC to reconsider its political direction and put plans to join Perikatan Nasional (PN) on hold, says a party source. The source told FMT that MIC had seriously considered leaving the coalition to join PN amid frustrations with Umno, but has “pulled the brakes for now” after seeing “a glimpse of a future.” The source said Umno’s momentum could pick up even more once former youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein return to the party. Recently, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was reported as saying that, apart from Khairy, Sembrong MP Hishammuddin was among the Umno leaders who have submitted applications to return to the fold. On March 17, MIC deputy president M Saravanan dismissed claims by PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan that the party had officially joined the opposition coalition. The Tapah MP said MIC had not submitted an application to join PN, but had only sought clarification on what being a component party would entail. Split within PN, waning support for PH The source said a split within PN and waning public confidence in Pakatan Harapan have made BN a more viable option, “at least for now.” “Right now, PN is fighting among themselves. We also feel PH’s reputation and pull is declining,” said the source. The source also pointed to a shift in sentiment among Malay voters towards Umno, saying voters are looking beyond Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and throwing their support behind the party. He also said grassroots MIC members remain wary of aligning with PAS, which is a key component of PN. “Some in the leadership may had seen working with PN as the way forward because Bersatu was still intact then. “We were also fed up with BN. MIC was treated like a stepchild. We were not given proper treatment by Umno, especially when it came to seat allocations. There was a lot of frustration,” the source added. The source said MIC is expected to discuss its next move at a central working committee meeting next week, which could determine whether it remains in BN or revisits alternative options. “We are also looking at talking with Zahid about the roadblocks preventing progress. Let’s see how it shapes up then,” said the source.