MIPP urged to quit PN, join BN ahead of Johor polls

 According to a source a meeting between Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his MIPP counterpart P Punithan was held earlier this week.

The suggestion that MIPP join BN was raised at a meeting between Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his MIPP counterpart, P Punithan.

PETALING JAYA:

Umno has suggested that the Malaysian Indian People’s Party quit Perikatan Nasional ahead of the Johor state election and join Barisan Nasional instead.

A well-placed source said the suggestion came about during a meeting between Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his MIPP counterpart P Punithan earlier this week, with senior Umno leaders in attendance.

“Umno had engaged MIPP to invite them to join Barisan Nasional,” the source told FMT. “Many details were discussed, including seat allocations and other major offers for the party,” the source said.

The source claimed that it was MIPP’s growing support among younger Indian voters that had attracted Umno’s attention. “The rise of MIPP is said to be a major reason why Umno wants it to join BN,” the source said.

A Bersatu Supreme Council leader separately confirmed that the meeting between Umno and MIPP had taken place.

Punithan, when contacted, gave a brief response, saying the party “will address any developments at the appropriate time”. Sources close to Punithan said he has called for a central committee meeting in a week’s time.

MIPP joined PN in April 2024. The PN secretary-general then, Hamzah Zainudin, said MIPP’s admission was endorsed at a supreme council meeting chaired by then PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin.

The party became PN’s first Indian-based component member after applying to join PN in late 2023, arguing that the coalition lacked direct representation from the Indian community. - FMT