MIC president SA Vigneswaran sternly reminded Umno today that the spirit of “Alliance” - in reference to the Alliance Party - which birthed Malaysia, is still alive.
The former Dewan Negara president noted that BN now consists only of Umno, MCA, and MIC, mirroring the coalition’s original structure, compared to once having up to 13 components.
"The Alliance was not built on coercion, but on friendship. Not on power, but on principle. Not on dominance, but on dignity.
“It was that Alliance which gave us our independence. It gave us an identity. It gave us a homeland called Malaya and subsequently Malaysia,” Vigneswaran (above) said at the 79th MIC national delegates’ assembly in IDCC, Shah Alam, today.
"Hence, we must ask, not as politicians, but as human beings who carry this legacy on our shoulders, the million-ringgit question: why have the others left BN? Why are we still with BN? In our hearts, can we truly believe that the BN of today still reflects the original Alliance?
"We began our journey by being part of the Alliance. Today, as we look around, look within ourselves, the question that must be asked is – are we being called out of BN to re-enter the Alliance?" he added.
In 1957, under the leadership of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tan Cheng Lock, and VT Sambanthan, the Alliance was officially registered as the party that would lead Malaya to independence.
The coalition eventually evolved into what then became BN in 1973.
However, Vigneswaran clarified that the meaning of “Alliance” was not in its name, but was instead defined by the genuine purpose, trust, and cooperation that built this nation.
Stay or leave?
MIC was also expected to announce its decision today on whether it would remain or leave BN. The assembly was attended by 1,808 delegates nationwide.
Previously, BN’s leadership had allegedly requested MIC to postpone any decisions regarding the party's future ahead of its annual general assembly on Nov 16.
A BN insider told Malaysiakini last week that the top leadership of the two governing parties were concerned that MIC’s move could affect the coalition's performance in the Nov 29 Sabah state election.
Earlier, Vigneswaran did not shy away from also condemning Umno in his speech, stressing that the party’s loyalty of more than six decades should no longer be mistaken for “weakness”.
Further, he described Umno's actions of sidelining MIC as a subtle form of betrayal, instead of outright neglect.
"MIC is not a junior partner, nor a political puppet. We are the founders, the pillars, and the trustees of this coalition from the very beginning. We have all the historical records, in case anyone forgets.
"MIC’s loyalty for over six decades is not for bullying, not for sidelining, and not for being gambled with for the political survival of others."
The MIC president also revealed that since BN's defeats in 2008 and 2018, the party has consistently remained loyal, despite its voice often being ignored.
He further highlighted that the rights of the Indian community remain neglected in seat negotiations and political appointments.
‘No more being silenced’
Vigneswaran also described Umno’s decision to hold the 15th general election early without the party’s consultation as proof that MIC was regarded merely as a “fixed vote contributor”, instead of a strategic partner.
"The result is that MIC now has no ministers, no representatives in government-linked companies, and no significant appointments. This is a clear indication of how the Indian community's interests are being marginalised by BN chairperson (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) himself.
"MIC will no longer allow its loyalty to be twisted into political weakness. Blind loyalty to a coalition that marginalises MIC is a mistake. Silence is no longer an option.
"We will no longer allow MIC's voice to be confined to boundaries set by others," he added.
He condemned Umno for making strategic decisions without consulting the party or considering the future of the Indian community.
"Every decision that neglects MIC is a betrayal, not only to the party but to the community that has given its loyalty for decades.
"The political landscape is now ‘chaotic’ and full of division, where MIC can no longer be a ‘tool’ for the political survival of others.
"If the dominant partner does not respect us, we will not bow down. MIC will not be instrumentalised again. Enough with the bullying," he stressed.
In recent years, MIC’s annual general assembly meetings in several states - including Kedah, Penang, and the Federal Territories - approved motions for the party to leave BN.
However, MIC deputy president M Saravanan previously emphasised that such a decision is not solely in the hands of the top leadership but will be determined by the general assembly delegates. - Mkini
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