MIC & MCA: The emergence of a third force in Malaysian politics?

ONCE powerful, influential components of the Barisan Nasional - which many considered to be invincible, the MIC and MCA now face a brick wall.

Both parties are finding it tough to justify their existence for still being a BN component, alongside Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the unity government.

Umno, which has been the foundation of BN remains well represented in the unity government with seven ministers and five deputies.

Their party president, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi himself comfortably holds two portfolios - as the Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister.

In March 2019, the MCA and MIC called for an immediate meeting of the BN Supreme Council to decide on the coalition's fate, saying its multiracial concept had been undermined.

The BN component parties’ presidents Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Tan Sri S A Vigneswaran, in a joint statement, said they were left with no choice but to move on and explore a new alliance because the foundation of mutual respect among the coalition’s members had cracked under the repeated attacks on its own members.

The issue was triggered after MCA and MIC alleged that Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz's appointment as the BN secretary-general was not in accordance with the coalition’s constitution.

However, following the BN supreme council meeting, its deputy chairman, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said MIC and MCA would continue to be part of BN.

"Considering their long history together, it would only be fair for Umno to reach some form of compromise and offer both MIC and MCA a ministerial position each.

"MCA and MIC cannot be discounted for their fair share of contributions all these years," said a veteran MCA member.

He pointed out that both parties do not have a voice in the government and rely on representatives from other parties to raise issues.

"There are still many Chinese representatives in Cabinet, unlike the MIC. With one Punjabi speaking minister in the Cabinet, the voice of the Tamil-Indian community is as good as non-existent," lamented an MIC veteran.

He claimed that MCA and MIC were being pushed to a point where they were left with no choice but consider other options for the political survival and for the sake of their supporters.

Another MCA senior leader said when pushed against a wall, the option of leaving BN for other alternatives may be a viable move.

"If the MIC and MCA cannot achieve any political relevance in BN, then they must do something to remain relevant.

"Also, BN must realise that losing MCA and MIC will not augur well for them. The presence of these two parties in Perikatan Nasional could provide PN a strategic edge to attract non-Malay support and rebrand itself as a credible alternative to BN," said the MIC veteran.

In GE15, the MCA won in Ayer Hitam, held by Wee, and Tanjung Piai, held by Vice President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng.

MIC's Deputy President Datuk Seri M Saravanan, a former Human Resources Minister, was the only MIC leader to secure a parliamentary seat.

Recently, former MCA Vice President Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker claimed that grassroots dissatisfaction was growing due to MCA being 'trapped' in Umno’s politics for too long.

He said many believe Umno has abandoned the founding principles of BN to remain in power through cooperation with DAP, once their staunch enemy.

MCA Secretary-General Datuk Chong Sin Woon later urged the party to chart its own course if BN remains indecisive.

He said that MCA had already given BN more than two years since GE15 to reorganise itself, but ongoing uncertainty has left MCA members feeling disillusioned.

According to an MCA branch leader, the MIC has a better chance of becoming part of PN as the MCA would likely face resistance from Parti Gerakan, which is already part of PN.

He suggested that if MCA and MIC were to leave BN, their best option would be to form another coalition or a ‘third force’ with other parties, including Muda, providing an alternative for voters disillusioned with PH and PN leaders. - May 6, 2025