MIPP to sit out Melaka polls after failed PN talks

The Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) will sit out the Melaka state election after failing to reach an agreement with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) leadership.

MIPP president P Punithan told FMT that the party would not compromise its principles simply to secure seats in the Nov 14 polls.

He said MIPP’s struggle was to defend the interests of the Indian community with dignity and principles, and that the community’s voice and interests deserved proper recognition and representation in the political landscape.

“Seats can be sought, but the dignity of our struggle must never be sacrificed,” he said.

“For MIPP, dignity and principles are more important than pursuing irrelevant seats. We will not sacrifice our principles merely for political interests.

“MIPP is not a party that will compromise simply for the sake of becoming candidates.”

Punithan said teamwork, mutual respect and inclusiveness were essential to any political coalition, and that a strong alliance must be built on trust and a willingness to respect the interests of every component party.

MIPP won none of the five seats it contested in its electoral debut in Johor this year. All five MIPP candidates lost their deposits.

On Wednesday, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition would contest 21 of Melaka’s 28 state seats, while PAS and its allies would vie for the remaining seven.

The announcement followed weeks of speculation over a possible electoral pact in Melaka between BN and PN.

However, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said seat distribution had yet to be finalised, although he maintained that cooperation between the parties was certain.

Nomination for the Melaka election will take place on Saturday, with early voting on Nov 10 and polling on Nov 14.

In the 2021 state election, BN won 21 of the 28 seats, while Pakatan Harapan secured five and PN won two.