MIC and MCA have tried to be relevant for the last 15 years, but have failed miserably to influence the communities they once represented.
Today, both parties are finding it tough to justify their existence as part of Barisan Nasional (BN) – one of the main coalitions that make up the unity government.
Unlike Umno, both MIC and MCA have no representation in the Cabinet.
Despite being a part of BN for over 60 years, MIC and MCA seem to be descending deeper into the dark abyss, finding it tough to command support and respect from the electorate.
Their thrashing in the 15th General Election is a portent of things to come in the 16th General Election.
MCA only managed to win two of the 44 seats it contested, while MIC secured only one parliamentary seat from the 10 it contested.
The DAP has become the ‘unofficial-official’ spokesman for the Chinese community (despite being a multiracial party), while support from the Indian community is heading in PKR’s direction.
While some argue that both MIC and MCA can still prove their worth as they are part of the government, in reality, they are forced to play second fiddle in the unity government.
Signs of disunity, especially between MCA and DAP, once simmering and occasionally burbling to the surface, are now crystal clear, with MCA being openly critical of DAP. Some MCA stalwarts, including vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker, are not pulling any punches in their attacks on DAP leaders.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Policy Research and International Studies director, Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk, said the recent decision by MIC and MCA to sit out the upcoming state polls was not surprising, as by contesting, it would have led to more problems within the government.
“The MCA and DAP have always been battling it out for the same seats. How would these arch-nemesis settle for seats if they went to the polls together?,” asked Azeem.
Azeem said the reality is, “MCA and MIC have long been written-off as political forces in Malaysia, and it would take a miracle to get them back on track”.
There are claims that both parties are sitting out the state polls after being sidelined by Umno.
While MIC and MCA have insisted that they would continue to support Barisan Nasional in the six state elections, sitting out the polls could also mark the parties’ first tentative steps in disengaging from BN.
The leaders of both parties however, insisted that the decision to forgo the state elections was to enable them to focus on the 16th General Election.
Last year, both parties were in lockstep in not wanting to be a part of the unity government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. But they finally relented, after being “persuaded” by Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
But they seem to be in a political coma ever since, after numerous failed attempts at reviving both parties.
“The two parties simply do not have a voice in government. With only one Indian minister in the Cabinet, is there anyone actually being the voice of the Indian community?,” said political observer Datuk B. Anbumani, in reference to Human Resources Minister, V. Sivakumar, from the DAP.
Anbumani said while Anwar has been “welcoming” towards MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran, there has been no real engagement with these two parties on its position in government.
Anwar too, may not want to offend his allies within Pakatan Harapan by “giving too much face” to MCA and MIC.
“The current government must show it is sincere and is united,” said Anbumani, adding there was a need for new, vibrant leaders in government, representing the actual composition of the unity government.
“It cannot call itself a unity government if there is disunity from within.”
Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan’s nemesis – Perikatan Nasional – is also grappling with issues involving the MIC.
Former MIC members, and possibly current ones, are said to be eager to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu (Bersatu) and Perikatan Nasional. But already there’s a ripple of discontent brewing under the surface – will the Indian community accept them?
Gerakan, once a strong ally and a member of Barisan Nasional, left the coalition in 2018, and later joined Perikatan Nasional in 2021. It however, failed to win any seats in GE15.
The party once controlled Penang for 39 years – from 1969. Gerakan joined BN as a component party in 1974 but its run in Penang ended in 2008 after it was defeated by Pakatan Rakyat in GE12.
Gerakan however, is bullish on winning back Penang from Pakatan Harapan.
It seems that being associated with Barisan Nasional has turned out to be a curse, not just for Gerakan, but also for MIC and MCA, in their quest for political existence.
Just like Gerakan, only time will tell if MIC and MCA can find a way out of the dark clouds that continue to envelop them.
