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THE Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has decided to maintain its current position within Barisan Nasional for the time being, as it reassesses its political direction in light of recent leadership changes within Perikatan Nasional.
Party Deputy president M Saravanan said the party’s earlier move to explore potential cooperation with PN had been made under different circumstances, when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was still leading the opposition coalition.
He noted that the landscape has since shifted, with Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) now assuming a leading role following the appointment of vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as PN chairman last month.
“At that time, our members made their decision based on MIC’s long-standing working relationship with Tan Sri Muhyiddin, from when he served as Menteri Besar of Johor to his roles in the Federal Government and eventually as Prime Minister.
“As a party representing the Indian community, we need to assess the sentiments of that community to determine whether they can accept PAS leadership as an option,” he said.
Saravanan stressed that while MIC does not have fundamental objections to PAS leadership, issues affecting the Indian community, including sensitivities surrounding places of worship, must be carefully considered before any decision is made.
He added that the party remains open to engagement with all political actors should opportunities arise, but rejected claims that MIC had formally applied to join PN.
Instead, he described the interaction as an enquiry following an invitation from PAS leaders, including deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
“Then we wanted to know, if MIC were to join them, given that we are an Indian-based party, what options would be available as they already have an Indian party with them.
“We wanted clarity on whether we would be admitted as a new member or as a permanent member, which should have been addressed by them rather than simply accepting us,” he said.
The clarification comes after PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan announced last week that MIC had been formally accepted as a component party within the coalition, a claim now effectively contradicted by MIC’s latest position. - March 25, 2026