IN politics, no one knows when the wind changes its direction. Politics is the art of the possible – no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.
One is confident that the current cooperation agreement among political parties to establish the unity government will be long-lasting.
Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional’s collaboration in the national unity government could be tested in the six state elections in the middle of this year. But can the collaboration be strong enough to take on Perikatan Nasional? PN is expected to make waves in the upcoming state elections, especially the Malay-majority seats.
Overlaps could also create an “uncomfortable” atmosphere that could affect PH-BN ties in the federal government.
At the same time, what we don’t see are any representatives from BN’s founding members MCA or MIC in the unity cabinet, which clearly shows BN being disproportionately represented.
What we see is a total of eleven Umno leaders appointed as ministers and deputy ministers in the unity government.
MCA and MIC have grassroots support and can add up the votes for the PH and BN pact in the coming state elections. Every vote counts.
In fact, MCA and MIC have given their fullest support to the unity government formed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Both parties have given their “wholehearted” support for the Prime Minister. These parties have stood by BN in good times and bad.
Describing himself as a prime minister for all Malaysians, surely Anwar’s unity government needs the firm support of race-based parties like MCA and MIC to win big especially in states like Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Kedah. Politics of race in Malaysia will be around for a long time to come.
MCA and MIC were formed to protect the rights of the Chinese and Indians in mainstream development. Along with Umno, both were the founding members of BN and the Alliance coalition, which was registered as a political organisation on October 30, 1957.
One cannot deny that under the leadership of various presidents, MCA and MIC continue to strive for improvement of the Chinese and Indian communities, and any fair-minded person would appreciate the role and sacrifice of both parties.
They focus on community development, vernacular education, jobs, and other bread-and-butter issues.
MIC has ensured that the government provides Indians housing and Tamil schools, as well as federal allocations for temples and other community facilities.
Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that “Big Brother Umno” suggests to the prime minister that MCA and MIC representatives be given cabinet positions. This would be in the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia.
We know that when Umno members hopped like frogs to other parties, MCA and MIC remained loyal to BN. The two parties also heeded the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree and supported the unity government to allow for political stability and a conducive environment for economic recovery. This is the time for Umno to show appreciation for MCA’s and MIC’s sacrifices.
The prime minister must strike a balance, not just in terms of numbers, but also in the allocation of portfolios to further lock in the support of the Chinese and Indians. His unity cabinet must draw adequate representation from BN coalition parties MCA and MIC.
Without MCA and MIC in the cabinet, it is not a unity government. Anwar is well liked by the Chinese and Indian members of MCA and MIC who voted him to be the 10th prime minister. – The Vibes, January 30, 2023
M.Vivekananthan has served the government of Malaysia at various ministries and agencies for almost 30 years. He has served ministers and deputy ministers as a private secretary
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