PN accepts MIC into the fold but Saravanan insists ‘we are still with Barisan’

KOTA BHARU – Perikatan Nasional (PN) has offered a more prominent role and position to MIC should the party join the coalition as a member.

PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the coalition would issue an official letter to MIC to confirm its acceptance as a member party.

He added that he is scheduled to meet MIC president Tan Sri S. A. Vigneswaran in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday night to explain the decision.

“MIC was accepted in December 2025 and the PN meeting on March 14 confirmed its membership under the new leadership,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

He said that, at present, PN comprises four member parties: Bersatu, Pas, Gerakan and Parti India Malaysia (MIPP). If MIC joins the coalition, the number of member parties will increase to five.

However, Takiyuddin stressed that MIC’s position within Barisan Nasional (BN) is not a concern for PN.

“That is their matter. When they applied to join PN and we accepted the application, the issue was settled from our perspective,” he said.

Earlier, MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said his party has not made any official application to join Perikatan Nasional.

“MIC is still with Barisan, as the party has not decided on anything," said the Tapah MP added.

He said in order to leave Barisan, the Central Working Committee (CWC) has to decide.

“We have not joined Perikatan. As of today, MIC is still in Barisan,” he told The Star.

Commenting on the possibility of more parties joining PN, he confirmed that several others have also submitted applications.

“Indeed, many parties have applied to join PN, but no decision has been made yet. Recently, three or four parties submitted applications,” he said.

According to Takiyuddin, this development reflects PN’s growing openness and inclusivity under its new leadership.

He stated that previously, key positions within PN were largely held by leaders from Bersatu and Pas, but representatives from other parties are now increasingly involved.

“Currently, deputy secretary-general positions are held by representatives from Gerakan and MIPP, in addition to Bersatu and Pas. MIC may also be given roles and positions within PN,” he said.

He added that PN is also expanding its membership structure through three categories: member parties, associate members and allied members.

He explained that associate members include non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or friendly parties, while allied members are individuals who wish to join PN directly.

However, he added that, so far, no parties from Sabah and Sarawak have applied to become PN member parties.