The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), a longstanding component of Barisan Nasional (BN), is reportedly contemplating a significant shift towards aligning with Perikatan Nasional (PN) for the upcoming 16th General Election (GE16). Party insiders describe PN as a “light at the end of a very dark tunnel” amid growing frustrations with BN’s leadership dynamics.
Strained Ties with Barisan Nasional
An MIC source revealed to FMT that the party’s position within BN has become increasingly untenable. The source pointed out that Umno, BN’s dominant partner, appears focused solely on its own political survival, leaving traditional allies like MIC and the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) sidelined. “We’ve reached a dead end in BN,” the source said, highlighting Umno’s reluctance to share key roles, such as offering two of its ministerial posts to MIC and MCA to strengthen coalition loyalty.
The source also expressed doubts about MIC’s prospects for contesting seats in GE16 under BN’s banner. In the 2022 general election (GE15), MIC contested 11 parliamentary seats but secured only Tapah, leaving deputy president M Saravanan as the party’s sole representative in the Dewan Rakyat. “There is no way DAP or PKR, which won most of these seats, will be magnanimous enough to give us any,” the source added, reflecting the party’s diminishing influence within the coalition.
Waning Influence and Growing Frustrations
As a founding member of the Alliance Party, which later evolved into BN, MIC has seen its clout wane significantly since BN lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority in 2008. Tensions with the unity government have further strained relations. In July, MIC voiced feelings of being an “unwanted guest” within the coalition, while Saravanan claimed the party was “cheated” out of a promised Cabinet post following GE15.
Party president SA Vigneswaran has kept the door open to exploring options, previously stating that it was “too early” to commit to PN but not ruling it out. A final decision is expected after a meeting with BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has requested insights into grassroots sentiment among Indian voters.
Potential Alignment with Perikatan Nasional
Insiders suggest that PN may offer MIC a chance to contest some of its traditional parliamentary and state seats, providing a pathway to remain relevant in representing the Indian community. “Under these circumstances, the best option for the party will be to align itself with PN and stay relevant,” one source said.
Another insider stressed the need for MIC to “regain its dignity” by proving its ability to deliver Indian votes in mixed constituencies, where the community can tip the scales. Kota Kemuning in Selangor, with its near-equal Malay and Chinese voter base and approximately 20% Indian voters, was cited as a key example. The insider noted that an estimated 65% to 70% of Malay voters in such seats have shifted to PN, making non-Malay votes, particularly from the Indian community, increasingly pivotal.
“If analysts say the Indian voters have started tilting towards the opposition, they are wrong. It has already tilted,” the insider claimed, adding that Pakatan Harapan leaders are growing increasingly concerned about this shift.
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