18/03/2026

WEDNESDAY | MAR 18, 2026

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MIC likely to stay loyal to BN: Analysts

Party denies joining PN

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan has denied claims that the party has joined Perikatan Nasional (PN), stressing that it remains a component of Barisan Nasional (BN) and has yet to make any decision on leaving. “We did not make any formal application to join PN. Whether to remain in BN or join any other party, the decision has not been made,” he said, describing reports of MIC’s entry into PN as “speculation”. This came after PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan claimed that MIC has officially joined the coalition and would be given a role within PN. Takiyuddin said he would meet the MIC president to hand over a formal acceptance letter confirming their membership. PN has four component parties, namely Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP), while several other parties, including MIC, have expressed interest in joining. The MIPP expressed shock at Takiyuddin’s claim. Its president Punithan Paramsiven said while discussions on MIC’s potential membership took place in principle after a meeting in December 2025, no formal decision has been finalised. Initially, MIC had only applied for readmission, but a new application is required for the party to officially join PN. MIPP suggested that any decisions regarding parties seeking to join PN should be finalised before the Malacca election, noting that five other parties have also submitted applications. At the party’s Supreme Council meeting on Saturday, under the new leadership of Datuk Seri Dr Samsuri, it was agreed that discussions with MIC should continue and the party must finalise its stance before the state elections later this year, said Punithan. Takiyuddin had said PN now considers MIC as a component party. He confirmed that MIC would be given a role within PN and several other parties had applied to join the coalition, although decisions are pending. places of worship. Mahendra was unrepresented. The accused appealed for a lighter sentence, citing financial difficulties. He told the court that he was unable to continue driving for Grab due to a damaged car. He also said he needs to support his child and elderly father. The court sentenced him to a fine of RM4,000, in default seven months’ jail. of mocking a religious festival. He is charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, Bernama reported. The prosecution, led by Penang Director of Public Prosecutions Nazran Mohd Sham and DPP Airina Syazreen Zainurin, proposed bail at RM5,000 in one surety, which was agreed to by the defence team. Magistrate Nurul Aina Ahmad granted bail at RM5,000 in one surety and fixed June 22 for mention.

o Central working committee has yet to make decision, says party deputy president

Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan offered a different perspective, noting that MIC’s influence within BN has waned and the party faces challenges in maintaining voter confidence. “As far as BN is concerned, they want to keep MIC in BN. But there is not much value added, just that BN wants to retain the nostalgia.” Azmi pointed out that the Indian community’s support for MIC has traditionally hinged on Umno’s dominance, rather than the party’s independent strength. “Right now, Umno is far more dominant. Supporters have drifted

within BN.” Recently, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that BN plans to contest 115 parliamentary seats, signalling that the coalition has regained confidence and is recovering from past challenges. “This renewed image of BN may appeal to MIC. By contesting 115 seats, BN seems revitalised, returning to its role as the backbone of government. I am confident that MIC will remain, for now, with BN as the coalition now has a clear plan and strategy,” said Mazlan. Nusantara Academy of Strategic

from MIC to others. The same applies to PN as PAS and Bersatu are not dominant players politically. This situation is unlikely to inspire confidence in MIC among Indian voters,” he noted. Despite the speculation, analysts agree that MIC’s strategic calculations, combined with BN’s revived image, suggest that the party is likely to maintain its long-standing coalition loyalty, at least for the 16th General Election. As of press time, MIC’s status regarding PN membership remained uncertain.

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Rumours that the MIC might jump ship to Perikatan Nasional (PN) have intensified but analysts say the party is likely to stay with Barisan Nasional (BN). This follows media reports claiming that PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had approved MIC as a component party, potentially making it PN’s fifth member. MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan dismissed the claims, stressing that the party has not officially joined PN. He said MIC’s central working committee has yet to make a decision. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said while MIC has expressed dissatisfaction with Umno in the past, the party appears hesitant to abandon BN. “It seems MIC is somewhat reluctant about joining PN. Although the party has been vocal previously, there appears to be dissatisfaction with Umno for not showing what MIC perceives as a strong commitment after joining. This has left MIC appearing a bit sulky or hesitant.” He said Saravanan’s statement underscores MIC’s uncertainty. “I predict that even if PN officially extends an invitation to MIC, the party is unlikely to accept. There is already new momentum driver P. Mahendra Bhoopaty pleaded guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday to a charge of uploading a Facebook video containing statements that caused public alarm on Feb 27. He also issued an apology to Muslims. The 53-year-old entered the plea after the charge was read out before magistrate Nurul Saqinah Rosli. Independent preacher Zamri Vinoth was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday with making statements that sparked provocative debate over religious and racial issues in relation to the organisation of a rally in front of a shopping complex in the capital last month, in a case that comes amid a parallel prosecution involving an activist over related remarks. Zamri, 42, whose real name is SEREMBAN: E-hailing KUALA LUMPUR:

SEIZED SUBSTANCES ... Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad (third from right) yesterday showing some confiscated drugs during a press conference at the state police contingent headquarters. – BERNAMAPIC

E-hailing driver pleads guilty, issues apology to Muslims

Code, which carries up to two years’ jail, a fine or both, upon conviction. Negeri Sembilan Director of Public Prosecutions Ku Hayati Ku Haron urged the court to impose a proportionate sentence. She emphasised that the action by the accused could threaten national harmony. She also said the punishment should serve as a lesson to respect religious sensitivities and alarm via Instagram last year. The alleged incident took place at a shopping centre in Batu Kawan, South Seberang Perai at 3.45pm on March 12, 2025. The video in question reportedly called on Hindu religious association Pertubuhan Hindu Agamam Ani Malaysia to organise a street protest if no action was taken against Zamri over a controversial video involving three local radio presenters accused

halal, cuba terangkan ”. The question roughly translates to mean “If the Indian temple under the bridge is haram , how about this mosque under the flyover? Haram or halal , try to explain”. The offence was committed at Masjid Jamek Dato’ Bandar Hj Ahmad Rasah in Kampung Dato Mansor at 12.30pm on Feb 27. He was charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal The court granted bail at RM4,500 in one surety and set April 29 for mention. The prosecution was led by DPPs Datuk Mohd Nordin Ismail, Izzat Amir Idham and Nur Farhana Mohamad Poad while Zamri was represented by lawyer Muhammad Hariz Md Yusoff. In a related development, activist Arun Dorasamy pleaded not guilty at the Jawi Magistrate’s Court in Nibong Tebal to a charge of making statements with intent to cause public

According to the charge, he uploaded a video on Facebook containing statements likely to cause public alarm and incite offences against public order, Bernama reported In the video, he questioned religious sensitivities by comparing a temple and a mosque. He had asked in the video “ kalau kuil India di bawah jambatan haram, yang ini masjid bawah jambatan flyover macam mana? haram ke Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, pleaded not guilty. He is accused of posting a statement on his Facebook account “Zamri Vinoth” at 12.22pm on Feb 3 that could cause public alarm and potentially incite others to commit offences against public order. The charge is brought under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which provides up to two years’ jail, a fine or both, if convicted.

Preacher denies sparking public alarm