THERE are rumours that the MIC might not contest the forthcoming 15th General Election (GE15). Apparently, the party is unhappy that three parliamentary seats were given away to Indian parties friendly to UMNO but not to the MIC.
Although the BN constitution states that admission of new Indian based parties must be based on consensus, the MIC remains a stumbling block.
This time around, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi went ahead to give Malaysian Makkal Sakthi Party’s (MMSP) president Datuk Seri R.S. Thanenthiran the Nibong Tebal parliamentary seat.
The president of Indian Progressive Front (IPF), Datuk T. Loganathan was given the parliamentary seat of Jelutong and the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress president Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Kader the parliamentary seat of Puchong.
Although the MIC was given a satisfactory allocation of 10 parliamentary seats, it was disturbed by the entry of these Indian based parties.
Obviously, Zahid was not listening to the MIC leadership as these parties have no strong standing in the Indian community.
Sole Indian representative
Whether these contestants will win in their respective allocated parliamentary constituencies remains to be seen.
However, given the fact that these political parties are basically non-entities in the Malaysian political arena, winning these seats against the Pakatan Harapan (PH) might prove to be Herculean task.
On the day of the announcement of the BN parliamentary candidates, the MIC absence was conspicuous.
I understand that the MIC will call for an emergency meeting of its central working committee (CEC) today (Nov 2) to decide on the next course of action.
The MIC has repeated many times in the past that it alone represents the legitimate interests of the Indian community.
If UMNO and MCA can call themselves as representatives of the Malays and Chinese, the MIC has certainly the right to do so. This is why the BN constitution clearly stipulates that admission of new political parties within the fold of the coalition must be based on consensus.
MIC’s argument is simple: what is the point of giving seat allocations to the Indian-based parties when they are not part of the BN coalition.
Would UMNO agree to the admission of other Malay-based parties in the BN? Or Chinese-based parties in the coalition?
Essentially, the MIC leadership is telling UMNO leaders not to take the party for a ride. The party has been faithful to the BN coalition for a long period of time.
Where were these Indian-based parties before when UMNO and other BN coalition partners faced problems?
Just a silent protest
However, the very fact that MIC is calling off its participation in GE15 might be bluff after all.
It was more of protest against UMNO for recognising and giving out seats to the Indian-based parties that don’t have good ties with the MIC.
I don’t understand why Zahid wanted to irritate the MIC, a party that has steadfastly loyal to UMNO and BN over decades.
Zahid knows very well that the candidates of the three Indian based parties might not stand a chance to win in the parliamentary seats in Penang. PH is favoured to win in these three parliamentary seats. The real question is whether these candidates can secure their monetary deposits.
I don’t think that the MIC will walk out of the GE15. The stakes are too high for the party to go for this political gamble. If the MIC pulls out, it is very unlikely that the party might lose its membership in the BN coalition forever.
It might provide the UMNO leadership the perfect excuse to exclude the MIC from the BN coalition. If this happens, the other Indian-based parties might have chance to make a formal entry into the BN.
I don’t think that the MIC is that stupid. It is aware of what Zahid said recently that BN’s victory in GE15 is meant to protect those who have been charged for corruption and those who might be possibly charged.
If PH comes to power, some of the leaders of the BN component parties might be trouble. On the balance of probabilities, the MIC will participate in the GE15.
However, whether it is going to emerge victorious in all the seats the party contested remains doubtful. MIC must also realise – probably it does – that its effective representation of the Indian community is a thing of the past. – Nov 2, 2022
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Pic credit: The Mole
