MIC deputy president M. Saravanan denies the party has joined PN, stating it remains in Barisan Nasional with no formal decision made on its future.
PETALING JAYA: MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (pic) has denied claims that the party has joined Perikatan Nasional (PN), stressing that it remains a component of Barisan Nasional (BN) and has yet to make any decision on leaving.
“We did not make any formal application to join PN. Whether to remain in BN or join any other party — the decision has not been made,” he said, describing reports of MIC’s entry into PN as “speculation.”
The clarification came after PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan claimed that MIC had officially joined the coalition and would be given a role within PN. Takiyuddin said he would meet MIC president to hand over a formal acceptance letter confirming their membership.
Currently, PN has four component parties — Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, and MIPP — while several other parties, including MIC, have expressed interest in joining.
The Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) expressed shock at Takiyuddin’s claim. MIPP president Punithan Paramsiven said that while discussions on MIC’s potential membership took place in principle after a meeting in December 2025, no formal decision has been finalised.
“MIC initially applied only for readmission. A new application is required for the party to officially join PN,” he said.
Punithan also suggested that PN should finalise the status of all parties seeking to join — including five other applicants — ahead of the upcoming Melaka state election to ensure clarity within the coalition.
He added that at the Supreme Council meeting on March 14, under the leadership of Datuk Seri Dr Samsuri, it was agreed that discussions with MIC should continue and that the party must clarify its position before the state elections later this year.
Takiyuddin, however, had said that PN now considers MIC as a component party, alongside Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, and MIPP. He confirmed that MIC would be given a role and position within PN, and that several other parties had applied to join the coalition, though decisions are still pending.