KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Indian Congress’ (MIC) loss of support among Malaysian Indians was not caused by the party’s failures but by the actions and policies of UMNO-led administrations that sidelined community interests, said MIC National Strategy Director, Datuk Sivaraj Chandran.
In a response to a recent letter published by FMT, Sivaraj said the article misrepresented history by blaming MIC for its decline without acknowledging that UMNO held full control over government policymaking.
“The collapse of Indian support for MIC was not due to internal failure, but the direct consequence of decisions, policies and missteps by the coalition leader, UMNO,” he said in a statement.
Sivaraj said that MIC, despite being part of Barisan Nasional (BN), lacked authority and power to intervene in a meaningful manner.
At the same time, Sivaraj cited several flashpoints that fuelled anger in the Indian community. He pointed to the Kampung Medan tragedy in 2001, where the Indian community felt abandone and unfairly targeted by state agencies under federal control.
He said MIC did not have the power to influence police actions or state decisions.
Similarly, Sivaraj said that from 2007 onwards, controversial issues involving temple demolitions, unilateral religious conversions and child custody disputes were handled by federal and religious bodies dominated by UMNO.
“MIC protested and appealed, but final decisions rarely favoured the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, addressing the massive 2007 HINDRAF rally, Sivaraj said that the protests were not a rejection of MIC alone.
“The rally was a direct reaction to an UMNO-led government that appeared indifferent to legitimate Indian concerns. Protestors shouted ‘MIC is useless’ not because MIC did not try, but because MIC did not have the authority to stop UMNO’s actions,” he said.
Sivaraj said Indian voters did not reject MIC in isolation during the 2008 and 2018 general elections, but rejected the entire BN coalition alongside Malay and Chinese voters.
He also pointed to national scandals and economic policies associated with UMNO leadership.
“Major decisions such as GST and the 1MDB scandal were driven by the Prime Minister’s Office. These policies hurt all communities, including Indians. MIC had no decisive input,” he said.
Sivaraj added that MIC leaders repeatedly cautioned Umno about rising anger within the Indian community but these warnings were brushed aside as “minor issues”, and short-term political thinking prevailed over long-term stability and harmony.
Sivaraj said MIC will not accept political partnerships where it bears responsibility without genuine authority.
“MIC’s loyalty was used, not rewarded. The lesson is clear: never again accept responsibility without real authority,” he said.
He said the party remains committed to providing moderate, organised and responsible representation for the Indian community, but from a position of equality.
“MIC was not the architect of BN’s defeat. It was a passenger in a vehicle driven recklessly by others. The Indian community deserves better, and MIC is prepared to answer that need with strength, dignity and genuine partnership,” he said. – November 20, 2025