PN revokes approval for MIC to join coalition after 'delay' in response

 

Perikatan Nasional has revoked a letter of approval it initially granted to MIC to join the coalition last December.

In January this year, three Bersatu and PN sources confirmed to Malaysiakini that the decision to send the approval letter was reached during a PN supreme council meeting held on Dec 9.

However, a senior coalition leader told Malaysiakini that frustration had grown over MIC’s lack of urgency in deciding its position, prompting a unanimous decision to revoke the letter during PN’s top leadership meeting at the Royale Chulan hotel in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

“We had already sent a letter asking them to state their position, since we gave approval last year for MIC to join PN, and that invitation to join is not open-ended.

“If the PN supreme council has already approved, then they need to join us immediately. Cannot delay according to their whims.

“So today, since the letter sent by PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan did not receive a response, we unanimously decided to revoke the initial approval that was granted to them to join,” he said.

Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan

The source said a letter will be issued to MIC today to inform the party about the decision.

MIC denies

In November last year, it was reported that PN’s now former chairperson, Muhyiddin Yassin, claimed MIC had applied to join PN.

Muhyiddin said the PN supreme council would look into the matter the following month, before making an official decision.

However, MIC denied making any such application, with its secretary-general S Ananthan saying the letter was only meant to seek clarification before making any decision.

He said it was sent four days before MIC’s annual general meeting to better understand PN’s stance, following invitations from PAS leaders, including deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, for discussions on possible cooperation.

MIC secretary-general S Ananthan

MIC also sought clarification on PN’s commitment to the Indian community, particularly in areas such as education, socio-economic development, and political representation.

Conflicting interpretations of letter

In March this year, PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan showed the press a letter from MIC president SA Vigneswaran, which he believed proved the party applied to join the coalition.

A review of the letter shared by Takiyuddin appeared to support MIC’s version of events, but with wording that suggested the party was seriously considering joining the opposition pact.

Vigneswaran had outlined questions that MIC wanted satisfied before deciding to join PN “again”.

“First and foremost, we wish to express our gratitude for the opportunity to be considered for readmission to PN.

“Prior to taking any affirmative steps toward such readmission, we seek certain clarifications to enable us to make an informed and deliberate decision, taking into account all benefits and rights to which we are entitled as one of the co-founders of the party,” Vigneswaran wrote in the letter.

MIC president SA Vigneswaran

Takiyuddin said the letter was hand-delivered to Muhyiddin on Nov 15 last year.

The use of the term “readmission” and calling MIC as PN’s “co-founder” likely refers to when MIC was one of four parties that formally filed to join PN when the coalition was being registered in August 2020.

However, MIC withdrew its application that same month, after Umno declined to join the new coalition.

PN later said it accepted MIC into the coalition in December, with the decision ratified on March 14.

MIC has since reportedly decided not to pursue PN membership and will remain in BN for now. - Mkini