I am writing in response to the article titled "MIC ready to move forward, with or without BN," to offer a different perspective that MIC should remain with Barisan Nasional (BN) rather than align with Perikatan Nasional (PN).
The Malaysian Indian Congress
(MIC) now stands at a defining crossroads. Long seen as a steadfast component
of BN, MIC is currently grappling with a fundamental question: should it
maintain its historic alliance with BN or explore a realignment with the emerging
coalition, PN?
While the public debate has
intensified, it's crucial to unpack who is actually driving this conversation
and whether the grassroots of MIC are being heard or sidelined.
At the heart of this dilemma lies
not just political strategy, but existential concerns about MIC’s relevance,
direction, and commitment to the Indian community it claims to represent.
More Than just a BN Appendage
Since its formation in 1946, MIC
has been a vocal advocate for the Indian community in Malaysia, operating
within the BN framework. For decades, this alliance offered the party access to
resources, influence in policymaking, and representation in federal and state
governance.
Through its partnership with UMNO
and MCA, MIC was able to promote educational programs, cultural preservation,
and economic upliftment for Malaysian Indians—especially in areas like Tamil
schools, temple grants, and skills training programs.
This track record has helped
solidify MIC’s standing among its core supporters, particularly working-class
Indians in semi-urban and rural constituencies. These voters have remained
loyal because of the party’s visible impact within the BN coalition.
However, MIC's role within BN has
diminished in recent years, in part due to the coalition’s electoral defeats
and internal fractures. The party won no parliamentary seats in GE15 and only
retained one state assembly seat. This has prompted soul-searching within MIC’s
leadership and now, a renewed debate about where the party truly belongs.
Who Wants MIC in PN? The
Leadership or the Grassroots?
The call for MIC to consider
joining PN seems to be coming primarily from elements within the party's
leadership, not its grassroots. Several senior leaders have hinted at the idea
of realignment, citing BN’s declining political clout and the need for fresh
opportunities. But this raises a fundamental question: has MIC consulted its
grassroots members, branch leaders, and loyal supporters on such a drastic
move?
Initial feedback suggests
otherwise. Many MIC branch leaders across the country have expressed confusion
and concern over the potential shift to PN, particularly due to the ideological
influence of PAS within the coalition.
PAS’s known stance on Islamic
governance, its history of policies perceived as exclusionary toward
non-Muslims, and its push for syariah-centric laws are fundamentally at odds
with MIC's values of multiculturalism, secular governance, and minority rights.
The grassroots worry that MIC’s
identity will be diluted, or worse, co-opted, in a PN framework where race and
religion are dominant political tools. Without a robust multiracial ideology at
its core, PN risks marginalizing MIC, reducing it to a symbolic player with no
real leverage.
Why MIC Should Not Abandon
BN—Yet
It’s important to acknowledge
BN’s current weaknesses. The coalition has lost ground to both PN and Pakatan
Harapan (PH) in recent elections, and internal disputes have eroded public
trust. Yet, BN particularly UMNO remains a familiar, secular, and moderately
multiracial platform with decades of governance experience. Its structure,
though battered, still accommodates and values minority parties like MIC and
MCA.
MIC has historically been able to
push for policies within BN that directly benefited Indian Malaysians: from
scholarships to infrastructure, from business loans to temple land issues.
These were made possible not just through political alliances, but through BN’s
understanding of power-sharing and coalition governance. These mechanisms do
not exist, at least not formally, within PN.
More importantly, BN has shown
signs of recalibration in the face of political defeat. There is space if not
necessity for MIC to take a more assertive role within BN and demand reform
from within. Rather than abandoning ship, MIC could help modernize BN, making
it more inclusive and responsive to the realities of 21st-century Malaysia.
PN’s Ideological Gap
The idea that MIC can enjoy
greater influence or electoral success within PN is, at best, speculative. PN's
dominance is concentrated in Malay-majority states and districts. Its
leadership comprising Bersatu and PAS has little incentive to cater to Indian
or Chinese interests. MIC would likely find itself on the periphery, used for
token appearances but sidelined in decision-making.
Moreover, PAS’s growing power
within PN represents an existential threat to MIC’s secular, multicultural
brand. A move to PN may yield short-term visibility but would almost certainly
force MIC to compromise on its core values, including its advocacy for
religious freedom, vernacular education, and equal opportunity. That’s a cost
no Indian voter should be expected to bear.
Relevance is Earned, Not
Realigned
Some argue that MIC is becoming
irrelevant and must change coalitions to survive. But relevance isn’t
automatically granted by joining a more powerful bloc; it must be earned
through hard work, credible representation, and principled leadership. If MIC is
seen as abandoning its principles for political expediency, its core voters may
walk away entirely not just from the party, but from political participation
itself.
This would be devastating for
Indian Malaysians, who are already among the most politically underrepresented
communities in the country. MIC, like it or not, still holds symbolic weight as
a legacy party. Its actions now will determine whether that legacy is
strengthened or squandered.
The Way Forward: Reform, Not
Retreat
Rather than running to PN out of
fear or frustration, MIC should focus on rebuilding trust among the Indian
community, especially the youth. It must democratize its internal structures,
empower local branches, and re-engage civil society. MIC must also advocate for
BN-wide reforms that modernize the coalition and rebuild its credibility across
all races.
Any talk of joining PN must be
made only after comprehensive consultation with the grassroots not dictated by
a handful of elites seeking personal relevance. The Indian community deserves a
say in its political future, and that future cannot be built on a foundation of
short-term opportunism.
In times of uncertainty, the
answer is not always change but clarity. MIC must decide whether it wants to
remain a true voice of Indian Malaysians or a political footnote in a coalition
that may never speak for them.
19.10.2025
Kuala Lumpur.
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