PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) received MIC's application to join the coalition last year, and the final decision now lies in the hands of the party's leadership.
Former PN Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the matter was no longer a secret and had been thoroughly considered by the coalition's leadership.
"They applied, and we have considered it. In fact, the decision to accept MIC was made last year," he told the media today.
It had been earlier reported that the PN Supreme Council had approved MIC's application to join the coalition.
Speculation that MIC would form a partnership with PN arose when the party received an 'invitation' from PAS leaders to join the opposition coalition.
This followed a motion brought by MIC delegates to leave BN because they felt they were being marginalised in the Unity Government.
Muhyiddin said that MIC is now given the space to determine its own political direction and the appropriate time to give its final say on the decision.
The Pagoh MP said that MIC President Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran has been given a full mandate by the party to make the decision, in addition to the discussions also involving MIC Deputy President Datuk Seri M Saravanan.
“I am always in touch with Vigneswaran and Saravanan when they come to discuss.
“If MIC joins us, it will be as if all Indian political parties are in or related to PN,” he said.
On Thursday, Barisan Nasional (BN) Secretary-General Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir confirmed that MIC remains a component of the party.
He said that so far, his party has not received any notification that MIC has left BN as previously reported.
He also described the matter as mere speculation and stressed that cooperation between the component parties is good. - January 22, 2026
