KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP), a member of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, sees no reason to emulate the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), considering the latter’s diminishing influence within the Indian community.
Rejecting allegations of an affiliation with the Barisan Nasional (BN) component party, MIPP president P. Punithan emphasised that his party will carve its own path. He underscored MIC’s failure to effectively address the needs of the Indian community as a reason for becoming more independent.
The former Selangor MIC Youth chief also said that while certain quarters appear intent on instigating troubles between the two parties, such squabbles are unnecessary and will not benefit the Indian community in the long run.
“Previous election results have proven that MIC has lost the support of the Indian community, so it’s not necessary for me to replicate MIC or follow their footsteps (by) having some sort of shadow relationship,” Punithan said during a recent interview with Scoop.
“I’m not a proxy for anyone, (and) I don’t have to be a proxy for a party that has lost the Indian community’s support. I’m only going to learn from the good things that have happened to the community (throughout MIC’s time in government), not their political struggles or ideologies.
“A lot of people with special interests in the matter want to see MIC’s collapse through me, they want me to clearly go out there and attack MIC to demolish and kill them, but I don’t have to do that. I rose to the position I am now without attacking MIC, so it’s obviously not necessary,” he added.
Punithan, who was appointed as PN’s Indian community committee deputy chairman prior to MIPP’s inclusion in PN, said that while his approximately 15 years of service to MIC taught him numerous lessons, his professional ties with the party were cut once he tendered his resignation.
“I know what (MIC) can and cannot do, (and since) they have lost the Indian community’s support at large, I don’t foresee a working relationship with them. Instead, MIPP is providing an alternative for Indians as a party with a clear vision for the community,” he said.
“The day I left MIC, my relationship with them ended. My friendship with some members continues, but just because we’re friends, it doesn’t necessarily mean that I have to agree with whatever MIC says.”
While Punithan had initially cited “personal reasons” behind his resignation from MIC in June last year, he told Scoop that his frustrations with the unity government’s supposedly slow pace in implementing initiatives for the Indian community played a crucial role in his decision to leave the party.
He also said that while being a part of the current opposition presents its own set of challenges, MIPP is committed to laying out documented policies in the form of a new economic agenda for the Indian community.
“I have spoken to PN leaders, and they have given me the mandate (to formulate a fresh economic agenda for Indians). It’s time for the Indian community to be presented with alternative leadership as they’re tired of fake promises and untrustworthy pledges,” he added.
Muda to join forces with PN as MIPP accumulates its forces?
Meanwhile, Punithan also disclosed that he intends to hold talks with youth-based party Muda after the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on May 11, in an attempt to persuade the multiracial party to join PN.
Asserting that the nation’s current political landscape lacks a significant third force, Punithan expressed his confidence that PN’s leadership will have a “positive discussion” on Muda’s potential inclusion in the opposition coalition as the party could be a “good player.”.
“Of course, I admire Muda and their presence as well as their leadership under (former president) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and now with (acting president) Amira Aisya Abd Aziz,” he said.
“I believe they can move forward, but to say that you want to be a third force is an uphill task. I want to speak with them and convince them to join PN, as I believe that they have a long way to go to help young people. They’ll have to join either coalition, PN or Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“They can play a significant role in PN and they will be a good player, like how MIPP is a strong player. Muda is also gaining momentum, so let’s hope for the best and that they’ll join us.”
In September last year, Muda pulled its support from the unity government, with then-president Syed Saddiq declaring the party as an “opposition third force.”
The decision came as a show of protest against the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his graft trial involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
Besides that, Punithan also suggested that some Indian representatives currently part of the unity government could switch their allegiances to PN by joining MIPP, claiming that certain figures have already contacted him to discuss the matter.
“There will be a significant number (of unity government representatives joining MIPP). Some of them have been in touch with us, and some have already (jumped ship). I haven’t mentioned any names to the public yet, as we’re focused on the Kuala Kubu Baharu election at the moment.
“I personally feel that there will be more people joining us. The Indian community is very generous, (as) they’re willing to give leaders a mandate (by) providing their support, trust, and hope to fresh faces who want to come forward and help the community.”
However, Punithan accused unscrupulous leaders of taking advantage of the Indian community, claiming that there are particular figures who merely want to make use of Indian votes to accomplish their political goals.
“The time has come for the community to realise that we have to stop being too generous unless a party is able to provide a clear vision when it comes to bettering the community. In that context, I’m able to provide a definitive outline of the community’s struggles and needs.” – May 3, 2024