MIC has been officially approved as a component of Perikatan Nasional, marking its entry as the fifth party in the opposition coalition.
According to secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, the Perikatan Nasional supreme council confirmed the admission last Saturday, although the initial approval had been granted in December.
Takiyuddin, who also serves as the PAS secretary-general, stated that he would meet with MIC president SA Vigneswaran tonight to formally present the letter of admission. The confirmation ends months of uncertainty regarding the party’s future political alignment.
Shifts in political alliance
In January, the MIC president indicated that the party’s top leadership would deliberate on a formal entry into the coalition despite the prior approval.
Speculation regarding MIC’s departure from Barisan Nasional had gained momentum following the party’s general assembly in November. During that event, delegates mandated the leadership to assess the party’s position due to dissatisfaction regarding its current role and relevance.
Despite this, several leaders from Umno had previously dismissed rumors of a split. Barisan Nasional secretary-general Zambry Abd Kadir had insisted that no official notification of withdrawal had been received, noting that MIC remained an integral part of the coalition.
Historical departure from founding coalition
The transition is notable given that MIC, alongside MCA and Umno, was a founding member of the Alliance Party before the formation of Barisan Nasional in 1973. Recent appearances by MIC leaders at Barisan Nasional retreats had initially suggested that the party intended to remain with its long-term allies.
The formalization of this move to Perikatan Nasional signals a new chapter for the party as it joins the current opposition bloc.
Further details regarding the party’s strategic role within its new coalition are expected following the official meeting between the two leaderships tonight.
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