SHAH ALAM: Delegates at the 2025 MIC annual general assembly have unanimously approved a resolution to leave Barisan Nasional and join Opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional.
MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the decision paves the way for MIC to officially apply to join Perikatan, reported Astro Awani.
He said joining Perikatan would build a new platform that is more inclusive, principled and provides a wider space for the voices of the Indian community in Malaysia.
This was "after taking into account the country's current political situation, as well as based on a comprehensive assessment of MIC's position and importance in the BN coalition," he said.
"The existing cooperation no longer provides space for MIC to play an effective role to champion the interests of the Indian community and contribute meaningfully to national development.
"With this, the 79th MIC AGM delegates meeting unanimously agree that MIC is prepared to end its participation in the Barisan coalition.
"However, it is subject to the process and provisions enshrined in the MIC constitution," he said during his speech on the amendments to the constitution and resolutions at the MIC AGM here on Sunday (Nov 16).
According to Saravanan, the decision was taken after in-depth and thorough discussions among grassroots members, divisional and branch level leaders, as well as state and central MIC leadership, office holders and delegates from across the country.
However, the delegates agreed that the decision be postponed until the next central working committee (CWC) meeting to make a decision.
Sinar Harian reported that although delegates discussed the motion, no vote was taken because the assembly agreed to leave the decision to Vigneswaran and the MIC top leadership.
MIC is one of the founding parties of Barisan, which has ruled since the country achieved independence in 1957.
MIC was established in August 1946 and later formed the Alliance coalition with Umno and MCA in 1955, before it evolved into Barisan in 1974 with the participation of more component parties.
