A SENIOR former MCA leader has criticised PAS’s recent invitation for MCA and MIC to join forces under Perikatan Nasional (PN), warning that such a move may prove politically damaging for both Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties
Former MCA Vice-President Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker described the gesture by PAS Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man as strategically flawed, arguing it could strengthen PAS while further weakening MCA and MIC’s already fragile political footing.
“The approach may bolster PAS, but it will further erode the strength of MCA and MIC,” Ti wrote in a Facebook post on Monday.
He said Chinese and Indian voters are unlikely to embrace PAS as long as the party adheres to its agenda of implementing Islamic legal systems within Malaysia’s plural society — a framework that, he noted, may alienate non-Muslims through classifications such as *kafir harbi* and *kafir zimmi*.
“It would have been more appropriate if the invitation had come in the name of Perikatan Nasional’s leadership — either by its Chairman, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, or Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin,” Ti added.
Drawing a historical parallel, he warned that MCA and MIC could suffer the same fate as DAP in the 1999 general election, when the party won only 10 out of 193 seats, or roughly five percent, due to a miscalculation in voter support.
“What was chased might never be caught, and what is carried may be lost along the way,” he said, referencing a Malay proverb to describe the potential fallout for MCA and MIC.
Tuan Ibrahim’s invitation came after reports of dissatisfaction within BN, particularly from MIC, with at least two state-level divisions expressing interest in leaving the coalition due to their lack of representation in government.
Ti was critical of the apparent intent behind the invitation, suggesting that if it is merely to “make up the numbers,” then it reflects not a genuine political alliance but rather a seat-padding exercise — reminiscent of the ‘tahaluf siyasi’ (political cooperation) previously declared between PAS and DAP.
He argued that if PAS is sincere in courting non-Malay and non-Muslim support, it must first prove that it is not a race-based party, but one rooted in justice and universal values.
As a starting point, he urged PAS to support democratic reforms such as the election of local councillors — a move the party has historically resisted, which Ti attributes to “racial paranoia.”
“Especially when DAP has long painted PAS as wanting to run the country in a Taliban-style manner. The so-called ‘green wave’ and the possibility of a PAS Prime Minister — this is what many in the Chinese and Indian communities fear,” he said.
Ti called on PAS to moderate its image through PN and shift its political focus from religious and racial narratives to social justice, humanitarian values and inclusive welfare.
“Any collaboration with MCA, MIC or any other party must be grounded in shared noble values — not just sweet promises from a political stage,” he stressed.
“Principles such as moderation, genuine democracy, meritocracy, competitiveness and pluralism must form the foundation of our political struggle,” Ti added. - Sept 2, 2025
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