If Umno Is Sincere It Should Be Willing To Give Up Two Minister Positions For Mca Mic

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Letter to editor
BOTH MCA and MIC are sidelined by the Madani government as they have not been given any position either in the cabinet or government-linked companies (GLCs).
Understandably, both parties are finding it tough to justify their existence as component parties of Barisan Nasional (BN) which is today the core coalition partner alongside Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the unity government.
As it is, UMNO and its BN coalition helmed by Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has experienced its worst election defeat ever by winning just 30 parliamentary constituencies and even losing safe seats to other parties during the 15th General Election (GE15).
In fact, the outing was UMNO’s worst performance in history. The party only managed to win 27 seats and 31% of the popular vote. The other three seats went to MCA (two) and MIC (one) – Datuk Seri Wee Ka Seong (Ayer Hitam), Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Sang (Tanjung Piai) and Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (Tapah).
However, two UMNO candidates (Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz and Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir) who lost in GE15 were appointed senators and eventually made cabinet ministers.
As we know, UMNO is well-represented in today’s Madani government with seven ministers and five deputy ministers – including Zahid himself holding two portfolios as the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Rural and Regional Development Minister.
Wouldn’t it be fair then for UMNO to give up two of its ministerial positions each to MCA and MIC? This is not so much out of sympathy but as a goodwill gesture given they cannot be simply discounted for their long history and contributions towards development and nation building.
MIC deputy president and Tapah MP Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (giving speech) and MCA president and Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Wee Ka SeongIs Big Brother UMNO prepared to sacrifice?
MIC does not have a voice in the government. With one Punjabi speaking minister in the Cabinet, one wonders who is actually the voice of the Malaysian Tamil-Indian community today?
There are four Chinese ministers in the cabinet today. Four of them are from DAP – UMNO’s long-time foe but now deemed sleeping partners.
The UMNO-led BN has always been noted as the big bully in the coalition. Both MCA and MIC have – ingloriously – been its perpetual “punching bag”.
Recall that UMNO’s bug boss Zahid had promised MCA and MIC back in 2022 that they would have representation in the cabinet.
But this has turned out to be an empty promise. With the current scenario, UMNO may even turn its back on both parties come 2027.
Is UMNO trying to suggest thar MCA and MIC do not have the influence needed to make them forces to be reckoned with in Malaysian politics?
With UMNO struggling to win Malay votes, it still does not realise that without the support of MCA and MIC, it is unlikely for the party to survive beyond GE16.
Once seen a hegemony of Malay political power, UMNO is today seen as a spent political force.
Making provocative statements and not respecting component parties will only work towards UMNO’s further downfall or see it buried – once and for all – come GE16. 
Frankie Tan
Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
 The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of 
- Focus Malaysia.

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