[ad_1]
PETALING JAYA: A political analyst says he believes that MIC’s decision not to join Perikatan Nasional (PN) is part of a broader restructuring of Malaysian politics, particularly the power game between Umno and PPBM.
James Chin of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania said it was not surprising that MIC had chosen to stay with Umno given their long-standing partnership forged more than 60 years ago.
“They really have nowhere else to go, the reason they can win the seats they dispute is the Malaysian votes of Umno supporters,” he told FMT.
Last week, MIC retracted its application to join PN, the flexible coalition comprising several political parties promoted by PPBM.
The decision of MIC, a component of Barisan Nasional, was based on Umno’s decision not to join the PN.
In delving into the restructuring of Malay politics, Chin said that the Malay elite circle was widening, not only because the PPBM had entered the field once only dominated by Umno and PAS, but also by the new party of Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Pejuang.
He said that the PPBM was restructuring with the faction of former PKR vice president Mohamed Azmin Ali joining them, while former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was likely to form a new youth party.
He said that non-Malaysian parties would normally line up with the more successful Malaysian party and this would be the case after the next general election.
“Before the elections, traditional alliances will prevail, after the elections non-Malaysian parties will lean towards the Malaysian party with the most MPs.”
In any case, Chin said, if MIC, or MCA for that matter, chose to stay in BN or join PN it would be inconsequential as neither side can deliver on non-Malaysian votes.
“At this time, the Chinese and Indian votes will probably go to Pakatan Harapan. Of course, if PN can see the economy picking up, they will win more non-Malaysian votes in the next GE. ”
However, Azmi Hassan from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia does not see any power play from Umno-PPBM, as he believes that MIC’s decision to opt out of PN was likely only due to Umno’s reluctance to join the pact. .
He said it also made sense for MIC to stick with BN as they could offer them a better deal when it comes to seat assignments.
But he also believes that it would make no difference to PPBM or Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, as MIC’s political influence was “very insignificant”.
“MIC needs the National Commitment more than the National Association needs MIC.
“It will not matter much if MIC, MCA or Gerakan are with PN or if PPBM has its own non-Malaysian branch, as most of the non-Malaysian votes will be won by DAP or PKR,” he said.
