MCA exco man’s actions could fuel racial narratives, says analyst

The dissemination by an MCA representative of a Negeri Sembilan state executive council decision affirming the purported removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang Dipertuan Besar could undermine MCA’s standing among Malay voters, an analyst said.

Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said Chennah assemblyman Siow Kong Choon’s publication of the announcement cannot be brushed aside, given the sensitivities surrounding the issue.

He said that although Siow was acting in his capacity as exco member, his position as a non-Malay politician could easily be exploited to fuel narratives of non-Malay interference in matters concerning the Malay rulers.

“I am not saying the narrative is true, but BN should understand how the politics of perception works,” he told FMT.

Zaharuddin said the danger was that the controversy could trigger fearmongering among Malays, leading to perceptions that they needed to be wary of non-Malays in the political arena.

He warned that the actions of a single politician could end up being projected onto the party, coalition and non-Malay communities, dragging them all into the controversy.

“One ‘share’ may take only a few seconds, but the sentiment it triggers can last for years.

“And when racial fear becomes political capital, MCA will not be the only one paying the price.”

The controversy began in April with an announcement of Tuanku Muhriz’s purported removal as Yang Dipertuan Besar by four undangs — three of whose legitimacy is disputed by the state’s Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU).

On Sept 16, several exco members backed the statement, recognising Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new Negeri Sembilan ruler.

Siow was among the BN representatives who shared the proclamation on social media, while several Pakatan Harapan figures—including former menteri besar Aminuddin Harun, Teo Kok Seong, and J Arul Kumar—publicly challenged the exco’s position and urged the public to continue backing Tuanku Muhriz.

The DKU rejected the exco’s stance the following day, although menteri besar Ismail Lasim later confirmed that the decision had been unanimously agreed upon at an exco meeting on Sept 15.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers subsequently rejected the exco’s announcement as having no legal effect, prompting the state secretary’s office to withhold gazetting the proclamation.

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Sivamurugan Pandian said Siow’s involvement carried political sensitivity, though he cautioned against assuming it would automatically harm MCA.

He said Siow was institutionally acting in his capacity as an exco member, though his role as an MCA leader meant his actions could naturally be interpreted as carrying a party dimension.

Sivamurugan said some voters may view the controversy as a sensitive matter involving the royal institution, and would expect politicians to exercise caution, as any failure to do so could heighten tensions.

However, he said much would depend on whether voters perceived Siow’s actions as tantamount to political interference or merely an exercise of his institutional role.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.