KUALA LUMPUR — MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan has called for the full admission of several Barisan Nasional-friendly Indian-based parties, following the reinstatement of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) into the coalition.
Speaking to Scoop, Saravanan said he welcomed PPP’s readmission into BN, which he said underscored BN’s shared values of unity and stability.
“This reunion reinforces our shared values of unity and stability, ensuring we build a formidable front that truly serves the people and improves the nation’s political landscape,” said the Tapah MP.
He noted that several BN-friendly parties, including Makkal Sakthi, the India Progressive Front (IPF), the Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP), KIMMA and others, have been “waiting in the wings” for years, consistently contributing to BN’s grassroots machinery and electoral efforts despite not being granted full component status.
According to Saravanan, formally admitting these parties would not only recognise their long-standing commitment but also serve as an expression of gratitude for the sacrifices they have made in supporting BN over the years.
Earlier today, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed that PPP’s recognition as a BN component party had been formalised, with further procedural matters set to be addressed at the BN Supreme Council meeting in Kota Kinabalu on January 21.
When opening the 72nd PPP General Assembly at the Merdeka Hall, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), Zahid said the coalition had received official confirmation from the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
“Here I am holding a letter from the Registration of Societies (RoS) dated Nov 25, 2025, which states that PPP is a party in Barisan Nasional,” he said.
Zahid added that PPP’s recognition was crucial in strengthening unity and ensuring stability among BN’s component parties.
PPP, which was founded in 1953, served as a BN component for decades after the coalition was formed in 1974.
The party exited the coalition after the latter’s massive losses at the polls in the 2018 general election.
It also became embroiled in a leadership dispute before being deregistered by the RoS in 2019. The party was later re-registered in 2023. – January 18, 2026