KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) continues to grapple with its political direction, as the party’s annual convention has deferred the decision on whether to stay in Barisan Nasional (BN) to party president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran and the central working committee (CWC).
Earlier, MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M Saravanan tabled three resolutions at the party’s 79th convention, including proposals to leave BN and to formally apply to join the opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Despite lively debate among delegates, no vote was taken, with the convention agreeing to entrust the decision to Vigneswaran and the party’s top leadership.
Speculation over MIC’s future has been ongoing for months, fuelled by the party’s dissatisfaction with perceived neglect by BN’s leading party, Umno.
BN chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously stated that the coalition would not hinder MIC or any other component party from leaving if it chose to do so.
Speaking at the convention, Vigneswaran said MIC had reached a crossroads in its journey with BN, and it was up to delegates to determine the party’s direction.
MIC has been contemplating joining PN, which currently includes Malaysian India People’s Party (MIPP), PAS’s non-Islamic wing Dewan Himpunan Pedukung PAS (DHPP), all aimed at representing the Indian community. – November 16, 2025