THE Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) has officially joined the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, announced Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
Hamzah, who is the coalition secretary-general, said the decision to accept MIPP was made at the party’s supreme council meeting, which was chaired by PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday (April 22).
“The inclusion of MIPP as a new member will strengthen the image of PN’s struggle for all Malaysians of various races, religions and backgrounds,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (April 23).
MIPP is the first Indian-based party in the coalition, which comprises Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).
Headed by former Selangor MIC Youth chief P. Punithan, MIPP was registered as a political party in 2019. It applied to join PN in December last year.
In a Facebook post on Monday (April 22), Punithan said MIPP’s inclusion into PN was not only a recognition to the party.
“It sends a clear message that the coalition gives priority to the Indian community which is the third largest race in the country,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, on the forthcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, Hamzah said the party had activated its election machinery.
The state seat in Selangor fell vacant following the death of its three-term assemblywoman Lee Kee Hiong on March 21.
Pakatan Harapan is expected to name its candidate for the seat today (April 23) while PN had planned to make an announcement on Thursday (April 25).
Nomination day has been fixed on April 27 and polling day on May 11. – April 23, 2024
Main pic credit: Facebook/Hamzah Zainudin
