MCA, MIC seen fading away ahead of state elections
Analysts say it may be difficult for the BN components to compete with the support enjoyed by PH among non-Malay voters.
(MalaysiaNow) – Once the non-Malay mainstay for the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, MCA and MIC may find themselves fading into the background at the six state elections to come this year, thanks to BN’s newfound alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and its components DAP and PKR.
Political analyst James Chin of Australia’s University of Tasmania said Umno appeared to have neglected MCA and MIC since forming the coalition government at the federal level with PH.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said the role of MCA and MIC had traditionally depended on the success of Umno, long seen as the BN lynchpin.
“Even if they clash, it won’t matter because DAP and PKR can make a clean sweep of the Indian and Chinese votes,” he said.
“The outcome of the talks on seat distribution between BN and PH is still uncertain, but they will likely stick to the policy of allowing the party that holds the seat to field candidates in its defence.”
MIC deputy president M Saravanan recently said he considered his party as non-existent within BN.
He said MIC had not been called for talks about BN’s plans for the upcoming state polls.
