23/01/2026

FRIDAY | JAN 23, 2026

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Analysts divided on effect of mulled MIC exit from BN

Sabah elections: BN-GRS campaign intensifies KINABATANGAN: The Barisan Nasional (BN) campaign with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has intensified in its effort to secure as many votes as possible in the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election. BN candidate Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar said the days of campaigning before polling day tomorrow are being fully utilised to refine and intensify efforts to ensure victory in Kinabatangan as well in the Lamag state by-election. “We are in the final sprint to ensure we can win the parliamentary seat. So, I will continue campaigning up to the last day to secure victory.” He was speaking to reporters after holding a small ceramah (rally) in the Suan Lamba area, about 55km from Kota Kinabatangan, which was also attended by GRS Sukau division chief Datuk Juhari Janan. He also said he has completed visits to all 27 polling districts in Kinabatangan. Campaigning for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections enters its 14th day today, having begun on Jan 10 after the nomination process. Both by-elections are being held following the death of the incumbent Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, on Dec 5, 2025. Mohd Naim is the son of Bung Moktar. Juhari said he is confident that the cooperation shown by the Sabah Unity government component parties would help secure victory. – Bernama The source also dismissed the impact of Umno’s fiery rhetoric during its general assembly, saying it ultimately changed little on the ground, especially after the party announced there would be no internal elections before the GE16. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee Move could be win-win situation PETALING JAYA: A source close to the MIC leadership neither confirmed nor denied that the party would formally join Perikatan Nasional (PN), but described the potential move as a “win win situation”. The source said PN stands to benefit from gaining non-Malay representation, something the coalition has been keen to strengthen, while MIC would obtain a fresh political mandate as its existing mandate under Barisan Nasional (BN) is seen as no longer valid. “PN would get the non-Malay voice that they crave. At the same time, MIC needs a new mandate because whatever mandate it had with BN is already gone,” the source told theSun . The source pointed to what was described as conflicting statements from BN leaders, adding that mixed messaging over MIC’s position has contributed to uncertainty. “At one point, BN leaders said they had sorted out all the issues with MIC and at another point, they said otherwise.” The source said with a general election looming, political indecision could prove costly, emphasising that voters make their decisions at the ballot box, not based on post-election negotiations.

o Move unlikely to impact machinery of coalition: Academic

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Analysts are divided on whether MIC joining Perikatan Nasional (PN) would weaken Barisan Nasional (BN). International Islamic University Malaysia political science associate professor Dr Syaza Shukri said MIC exiting BN may not weaken the coalition in terms of machinery, but it may have a symbolic impact. “BN wants to portray itself as a multi-ethnic coalition. Without MIC, it signals that non-Malay communities have less confidence in its credibility,” she told theSun . She added that MIC may argue its move is justified by BN’s cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the Madani government, which it perceives as having failed to prioritise the Indian community across three years in power. She also said MIC is unlikely to face major obstacles in working with PAS, which is PN’s strongest component party, despite having no prior cooperation. “Unlike the Chinese community, the Indian community is more open to PAS because PAS tends to target DAP, rather than the Indian community. It also depends on how much PAS could convince them that the rights of non-Muslims would be protected.” Meanwhile, Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow

Azmi said a move by MIC to leave BN would reflect its awareness within the party that its future within the coalition has become increasingly uncertain. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

parliamentary seat, Tapah, which was secured by its deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan. On Wednesday, an online news portal reported that MIC had been accepted into PN. This was confirmed by former PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who said the party’s application to join PN, made last year, has been accepted and it is now up to MIC to materialise the matter.

support MIC. “In this sense, MIC’s departure would not disappoint or weaken BN. In fact, Umno would be able to contest seats currently held by MIC.” In the 15th general election, MIC contested 10 parliamentary seats – Sungai Siput, Tapah, Hulu Selangor, Teluk Intan, Padang Serai, Batu, Kuala Langat, Port Dickson, Kota Raja and Segamat. However, it won only one

Dr Azmi Hassan said MIC leaving BN would open up more seats for Umno to contest. He added that the move would reflect the awareness within MIC that its future within the coalition has become increasingly uncertain. “Even the seats it currently holds are being sought after by Umno divisions in those constituencies, as it has been proven that Umno voters far outnumber voters who

‘Potential decision to leave would be driven by survival’ PETALING JAYA: If MIC leaves Barisan Nasional (BN), the decision would be largely driven by political survival, analysts said, amid growing uncertainty over the party’s position and relevance within the coalition. Nusantara Academy for disappointed because it did not even receive a senate appointment, making it feel sidelined. “MIC (may decide) to leave BN for political survival. Whether this decision is correct or not would only be determined in the lead up to GE16.” However, Azmi emphasised that MIC’s supposed position differs from MCA’s, adding that MCA appears to be adopting a “wait-and-see” approach while remaining within BN. Meanwhile, International Islamic University Malaysia political science associate uncertainty for smaller parties. She questioned the strategic advantage of MIC joining PN, particularly in terms of seat allocations. “If the issue is contesting seats, I don’t think this would have been a major problem within BN, as MIC would likely still be given suitable seats.

Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said MIC has limited options, especially after the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was accepted back into BN. “PPP is considered a rival to MIC. If they are in the same coalition, it creates tension, similar to how MCA views DAP as its political adversary. From a survival perspective, MIC has little choice but to leave,” he told theSun . He also said MIC currently holds only one parliamentary seat, adding that the party’s victory in the 15th general election (GE15) was largely due to Umno voters rather than strong grassroots support from MIC. “The reality is that MIC was

professor Dr Syaza Shukri said Malaysia’s political landscape has shifted significantly since 2020, with coalitions increasingly formed after elections rather than before. “We used to practise pre-election coalitions, which were more stable and structured, such as BN, Barisan Alternatif, Pakatan Rakyat and PH. Pre-election negotiations are strategic to avoid multi cornered fights and are more suitable for our electoral system.” She added that post-election politics now revolve more around inter-coalition negotiations, which could create

He added that the real test would be whether MIC could retain its sole parliamentary seat outside BN and, more importantly, whether it would be allocated winnable seats rather than constituencies deemed unwinnable by its new partners. “This would determine whether (such a decision by MIC could be) justified and how it explains its cooperation with PAS or an alliance that includes PAS, which some perceive as extreme.” He drew parallels with Umno’s justification for working with Pakatan Harapan (PH) while rejecting DAP, adding that MIC may employ similar reasoning to defend its stance to supporters.

“In PN, MIC may have to negotiate with parties such as MIPP or even Gerakan for non-Malay seats.” She suggested MIC’s alleged move is more about distancing itself from PH and the Madani government, which the party believes has marginalised the Indian community. In November 2025, during the MIC 79th Annual General Assembly, delegates passed a resolution for the party to leave BN, authorising party president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran and the Central Working Committee to determine MIC’s future direction. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee