MIC “list of demands” before joining PN trolled; labelled “arrogant”, “presumptuous”

 

RE-COUNTING a conversation with the country’s founding father Tunku Abdul Rahman, elder statesman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad quipped:

The late Tunku (Abdul Rahman) used to say, “If there is one Indian, there is one political party; two Indians, two political parties; three Indians, three political parties” and we know the number of Indians in Malaysia run in the millions, and we may have one million political parties.

It would appear little has changed in the complex and convoluted landscape of local Indian politics. This follows the highly-publicised request from MIC to be “re-admitted” into the Perikatan Nasional (PN coalition).

In a hand delivered letter to PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, “clarifications” were sought on a number of issues before the MIC makes an “informed decision” on re-joining the coalition.

Among the queries from MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran was whether “re-admission would be automatic and without any preconditions on the part of PN”.

Points of contention

This letter has been making the rounds on social media with some taking a less-than-kind view of MIC’s stance. One such instance is a post on Facebook by Belia Bangkit that interpreted the letter as arrogant demands couched in polite language.

Firstly, the current affairs page pointed out that MIC’s assertion to be among the founding blocks of PN underlines its cunning in making two-faced claims. It also highlighted MIC’s predilection for entering and exiting coalitions according to its whims and fancies.

Secondly, MIC’s demand to be invited to re-join PN was ridiculed as it was the Indian party that is making the request.

Thirdly, insinuating arrogance, the post also mocked MIC for demanding positions before being admitted into PN.

Fourthly, the post sneered at MIC’s claim to be oldest and therefore most senior party within PN should afford it respect from other component parties.

Last but not least, the post ridiculed MIC’s attempt to supersede the other Indian parties within PN such as Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy’s United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) and Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy-founded Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF).

The poster went on to surmise that ultimately, it will be the Malay seats (in any forthcoming elections) that will be diluted by allowing MIC to re-join PN. He thus concluded: “Good luck PN…. pikul biawak hidup (carrying of a useless/burdensome person who contribute little)”.

‘Excessively demanding’

The sense that MIC is being a touch too demanding was reflected among the 250+ comments attached to the post that has generated 1.3K likes and 145 shares at time of writing.

One commenter hilariously likened the scenario with that of local Malay rock scene where groups splinter with former members then making demands for royalties by virtue of being founding members.

The perceived arrogance in wanting to be invited back was also roundly mocked. One commenter likened such gesture to a house visitor making demands on the homeowner before entering, insinuating that he would not take kindly to such ultimatums.

One commenter encapsulated the overall sentiment of the post when he claimed that MIC was just riding on the coattails of PAS who provided the funds as well as the electoral machinery.

Could MIC have been more diplomatic in its approach? Could the letter have been couched in language that did not reek of arrogance?

Perhaps, as reasonably suggested by one commenter, any demands should be in the run up to polls when MIC can be judged by what it brings to the table. Until then, perhaps a modicum of humility may be in order. 

- Focus Malaysia