BARISAN NASIONAL (BN) will decide if MIC cannot make up its mind once and for all if the party wants to stay or exit the country's oldest political coalition.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that MIC seems to be edging BN to the corner over reports that it will leave the coalition.
"If they (MIC) cannot decide, we will decide for them," Ahmad Zahid said after officiating at the 17th Makkal Sakti annual general meeting (AGM) in Penang.
MIC reportedly said its top leadership was deciding whether to leave the coalition on grounds that its political agenda was not taken seriously by the BN leadership or Umno.
It has reportedly sent a letter requesting for the terms and conditions for entry into the Opposition - based Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, led by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
In its leadership meeting last month, MIC decided to leave it to the party's central working committee (CWC) to decide its future when it meets next month.
Ahmad Zahid said that loyalty was an utmost priority, especially when BN was down.
"We are tested when we are in power and we are also tested when we are down ... to see our resilience, but more if we can remain loyal to each other in challenging times," said Ahmad Zahid, the Deputy Prime Minister I.
Ahmad Zahid said that BN has a constitutional clause to abide since its formation 51-years ago; which is that every major decision is made based on a consensus.
Currently, the members are Umno, MCA, MIC and PBRS while there are several others such as Makkal Sakti, IPF, and Parti Cinta Malaysia, who are classified as associates under the Friends of BN pact.
Only if all four components decide on a consensus, then BN can admit its current associates as full members.
Ahmad Zahid said that BN needs to amend its constitution to reflect the present political situation, bearing in mind, a crucial need to rebrand and re-strategize itself with the new political realities.
He said that to admit the likes of Makkal Sakti into BN, the main obstacle is MIC.
But Ahmad Zahid gave room for negotiations with MIC, saying together with Umno and MCA, they represent the historic Alliance coalition, which had fought and won Independence for Malaya and subsequently Malaysia.
"There is room to discuss the matter, but we also need loyalty from all sides in both good and bad times."
"Loyalty forms the crux of any political organisation to succeed as it is proven that without it, there is no longevity for any party to succeed."
Ahmad Zahid also said that BN wants the national unity Madani government to adopt the Indian Blueprint as a national policy soon.
The blueprint was introduced by former premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak but as Makkal Sakti president Datuk Seri R.S. Thanenthiran says it was never adopted by the present government in addressing the plight of the community.
Ahmad Zahid said that the blueprint recognises that urban poverty is worse than in the rural areas while to fight impoverishment, it must be colourless. - December 21, 2025.
