PN signs off for MIC to join coalition, but party says no official application yet

 

MIC deputy president M Saravanan said his party has not made any official application to join Perikatan Nasional.

This is despite PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan saying earlier today that the party has been accepted into the opposition coalition.

Saravanan (above) told Malaysiakini that MIC had merely made enquiries about joining PN when Muhyiddin Yassin was the chairperson.

“We just asked what kind of offer you will give us. Other than that, we already made it clear that the central working committee will decide after the annual general meeting.

“But we have not made any decision yet,” he said.

PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan

This morning, Takiyuddin told reporters at Kota Bharu, Kelantan, that with MIC’s inclusion, PN will now be a five-party alliance.

“I can confirm tonight that I will be going to Kuala Lumpur. I will be meeting MIC.

“We will give an official letter to MIC saying that they have been accepted as a member party in PN,” he said.

He further explained that MIC was accepted as a PN member in December last year, but it was only confirmed during the coalition’s last meeting on March 14.

When asked whether MIC would leave BN for PN, Takiyuddin said it was up to the party.

“That’s their issue; that’s another issue. They have applied to join, and we have accepted (their application),” he said.

Gathering info

In November last year, it was reported that Muhyiddin claimed MIC had applied to join PN.

However, the party had denied making any application to join the coalition, with MIC secretary-general S Ananthan explaining that the letter was not an official application, but was intended to obtain preliminary information before the party made any decision.

He further explained that MIC also requested clarification on PN’s commitment to the development of the Indian community, including issues on education, socio-economics, and political representation.

MIC had stated several times that it is considering leaving BN, citing dissatisfaction with its political position, especially after Umno, under Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s leadership, established cooperation with Pakatan Harapan.

Besides MIC, MCA is similarly concerned about election seat allocation, which they consider more favourable to incumbent parties.

Under the BN-Harapan seat-sharing formula, MCA and MIC are expected to contest only a small number of seats in the next general election. - Mkini