MIC’s ‘to be or not to be’

MIC is facing the dilemma penned by William Shakespeare in his play, Hamlet: To be or not to be.

For MIC, it is to be or not to be in the unity government.

The party is in the same boat as MCA over the dilemma.

The question would be answered via the party’s annual general meeting in October as there has been discontent among MIC leaders on the lack of representation in the unity government from MIC and the Indian community.

MIC’s sole MP and deputy president, Datuk M Saravanan described his party as an “unwanted guest” in the unity government, reported Utusan Malaysia yesterday.

“If someone doesn’t want us around anymore, should we continue (in such a relationship)? Right now, we’re seen as an unwanted party in the unity government.

“We have no role in the Cabinet, no role in any GLC, and no role at any level. It is as if they don’t need us. Therefore, MIC will make a decision soon,” he was quoted as saying.

The party was not offered any positions in the government, including government linked companies.

To the question of MIC joining PN, he said: “Right now, I dare not say yes or no.”

Though Umno represented BN in the cabinet, he pointed out that they were silent on issues close to the Indian community.

“When there are issues involving temples, matriculation spots, and more recently, the case involving (Islamic preacher) Zamri Vinoth, I do not see our (BN) representatives speaking up for the Indian community,” he said.

Saravanan further claimed that MIC was “cheated” several times, including over an agreement that the party would get a position in the unity government.

“The BN chairman (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) told us that the prime minister agreed to have an MIC representative in the Cabinet. But we were deceived, though there was an agreement at the time.

“But we still accepted this and continued supporting the unity government for the sake of political stability. We weren’t selfish, even though we were deceived,” he said, according to Utusan Malaysia.

He said MIC had raised the matter with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whom he claimed had promised to “do something” about it.

He also reminded Umno against making unilateral calls which was against the consensus principle in BN.

“Don’t blame us if the other components disagree with a decision you make without discussing (with us first),” he said.

Aside from Saravanan, MIC has one state exco in Melaka and Johor.

The question of whether to remain in the unity government was previously faced by MCA too.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ir Wee Ka Siong, however, said that the issue shall be addressed in the party’s AGM which would be held in 2026.