The long-awaited MIC decision to leave the BN is near according to various media reports. Many are waiting for the MIC’s momentous announcement on this.

The MIC has nothing to lose by exiting the long exploitative relationship with the BN, as there is nothing more to expect in the future.

The BN itself is disunited and already in the doldrums and continuing to rely on it is suicidal.

There is a possibility that Umno could be wiped out in GE16 by the intensive electoral onslaught of PN.

The MIC has to strike out on its own whether good or bad, and accept the challenge of creating a new vision and mission of rebuilding the party and winning back the trust of the Indian community.

The road may be tough in the near future, but with good plans and new leaders it can succeed.

Indians still need a party that fully represents them as the country is not egalitarian and does not have a level playing field no matter whatever is said in the name of multiracialism and unity in diversity.

The MIC has to come with a better batch of leaders if it is to make a dent in the next general election, either as coalition partners of PN or as part of a Third Force.

There may not be any Indian majority electoral constituencies in the country, but the MIC stands a good chance of winning in multiracial seats in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Perak and Penang.

The most important thing is to have exemplary candidates and a visionary electoral manifesto.

At a time when multiracial support for the Unity Government is waning due to unfulfilled promises and reforms, the time is right for the MIC to take the difficult decision.

A lot of Indians now sympathize with the plight of the MIC and this will help the party in mixed seats.

Whatever it is in the Malaysian political scenario, there needs to be a party dedicated to help Indians.

However, the MIC needs to be part of the PN coalition or a formalized Third Force if it is to win.

If it is going to partner PN then there should be a formal agreement as to various issues. Otherwise, the Malay-centric parties will brush off Indian interests, just like what the PH has done.

A couple of wins could get it one or two ministerial positions with which it could help Indians.

The party cannot win independently. There are almost two years for the next election and the party needs time to build up its grassroots support and groundwork.

Although the MIC has been roundly criticized for not doing much for the Indians since Merdeka, the truth is that it had done a reasonable measure in educational efforts and some socioeconomic matters.

The weak point of the party was that there were a lot of exploiters and self-servers at the branch, divisional and state levels who grabbed whatever allocations and opportunities the government gave to the Indians.

These self-servers are now multi-millionaires and they must surely regret seeing how their actions have ruined the party.

Although it was also the same with the MCA and Umno, the deception and failure of the MIC leaders rankles Indians the most who blame the MIC for not having any bold vision after Merdeka to alleviate their poverty.

The MIC is much better than the DAP or PKR which practice a fake or insincere multiracialism since forming the government despite having a large numbers of Indians in their parties. 

The biggest minus point for the Indian community is that it does not have visionary leaders who could chart a new socioeconomic plan to assist Indians.

Many of the so-called leaders are the run-of-the-mill types despite having degrees and doctorates and even boasting about being corporate achievers.

The fates of Maika Holdings and Sedic/Mitra, which were helmed by big shots, are a good illustration of my point.

Many good-intentioned Indians in NGOs have become fed up with the government’s paltry budgetary allocations to eradicate poverty and coupled with the snail’s pace of Indian progress, have abandoned their efforts and gone back to doing their own work.

The MIC has learnt some useful lessons since its downfall, which started in 2008 with the defeat of Tun S. Samy Vellu.

The party should look to a new dawn and beginning with its exit from the BN.

With a revitalized party leadership and re-energized membership, it should exploit and capitalize its political chances especially the present disillusionment and disappointment of Indians with the Unity Government and the Anwar administration.

(V. Thomas has been regularly contributing to Malaysian newspapers for the last 40 years.)