Informal discussions on electoral cooperation between Perikatan Nasional (PN) and the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) of Barisan Nasional (BN) have sparked debates, with some viewing them as acts of desperation and others as a “match made in heaven.”
Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi suggested that MCA, MIC, PAS, and Bersatu might be the ones feeling anxious as the general election approaches, lacking a viable strategy for political survival.
Political analyst Azmi Hassan from Akademi Nusantara echoed the notion of desperation but also described a potential MCA-MIC alignment with PN as a “match made in heaven.” He noted that both sides seem eager to secure partners as the timeline for the next general election—due by early 2028—tightens.
“MCA and MIC are seeking a new ally, and PN is extending an invitation for collaboration,” Azmi told FMT.
PN secretary-general Azmin Ali confirmed reports of these talks on September 5, revealing that informal dialogues had occurred with MCA and MIC, both still BN members. He stated that the parties recognized the fairness and inclusivity of policies under Muhyiddin Yassin’s PN government in 2020.
However, Puad highlighted PAS’s pivotal role in PN and its historically weak track record with non-Malay partners. He pointed out that PAS voters are unlikely to support non-Malay candidates, citing Gerakan’s president losing in the PAS stronghold of Bayan Lepas during the 2023 Penang state elections.
Puad accused PN of lacking genuine commitment, with a pattern of inconsistent alliances. “Their history of partnering with non-Malay parties has been marked by inconsistency and abrupt abandonments,” he told FMT.
He referenced the 2020 Sheraton Move, partly driven by Muhyiddin rejecting DAP after attributing Bersatu’s Tanjung Piai defeat to them, and PAS’s exit from Pakatan Rakyat amid accusations that DAP was overly Chinese-centric.
Puad argued that MCA and MIC would merely serve as symbolic figures to project PN as multiracial. “Any collaboration between MCA, MIC, and PN would lack sincerity. MIC and MCA would be mere instruments for PN to craft a narrative of being a multiracial coalition,” he said.
He emphasized that Umno remains unperturbed, as MCA and MIC depend on Malay votes mobilized by Umno’s grassroots network.
Azmi, reiterating the “match made in heaven” potential, explained that PN requires a boost in non-Malay support to bolster its federal standing. “PN is eager to demonstrate appeal among non-Malays, while MIC and MCA are keen to identify a new partner for GE16,” he said.
He stressed that seat allocations would be central to any agreement. “Both parties will demand guarantees on the number of constituencies they can contest in the upcoming election,” Azmi added.
MIC deputy president M Saravanan highlighted his party’s strong rapport with Muhyiddin, particularly during his 2020 premiership. Muhyiddin appointed an MIC leader as a minister to represent the Indian community, Saravanan noted.
As a former senior BN leader, Muhyiddin understood MIC’s longstanding role from post-colonial times through the Covid-19 pandemic, Saravanan said.
The Tapah MP, who served as human resources minister under Muhyiddin, recalled MIC’s contributions alongside PN during the crisis. “We possess effective machinery and ensured aid was distributed efficiently to those in need during challenging periods. PN recognizes our capabilities,” he said when contacted.
On August 2, MIC president SA Vigneswaran stated that the party was open to engaging with any political entity to ensure its survival and better serve the Indian community, emphasizing that such moves were driven by internal interests rather than outside influences.
Nevertheless, Sivamurugan Pandian from Universiti Sains Malaysia suggested that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim might need to step in, given MCA and MIC’s pivotal historical juncture.
“Anwar, as head of the unity government secretariat, may have to intervene. MIC is a component of a unity government partner, and he must guide it toward a prudent choice,” Sivamurugan told FMT.
He portrayed the parties’ predicament: long allied with Umno since independence, they now grapple with diminishing relevance. “They stand at a historical crossroads,” he said.
Sivamurugan noted that MIC’s annual general meeting is scheduled for October. “Typically, the BN chairman is invited to officiate. By then, internal deliberations may conclude, allowing Vigneswaran to leverage state-level decisions in charting the party’s course,” he explained.
He suggested Azmin’s disclosure of the talks might be strategic. “This could form part of psychological maneuvering in the lead-up to GE16,” Sivamurugan said.
He added that MIC, currently without ministerial roles in Anwar’s unity government, has few paths forward: stay in BN and renegotiate terms, shift alliances, or pause to revitalize its base. “But MIC must stay engaged to avoid fading into irrelevance like a mere NGO,” he cautioned.
