MIC is embarrassing itself

OPINION | MIC is embarrassing itself


17 Dec 2025 • 1:30 PM MYT


TheRealNehruism
An award-winning Newswav creator, Bebas News columnist & ex-FMT columnist

Image credit: vettichennaiguys X / Sinar Daily


Of all the unforgettable characters created by legendary comedian Vadivelu, Style Pandi surely ranks among the most iconic.


In the 2010 film Nagaram Marupakkam, Vadivelu plays Style Pandi, a man who constantly threatens the film’s hero, played by Sundar C. Style Pandi projects himself as a powerful gangster—someone capable of inflicting great harm—unless the hero submits, humbles himself, and does as he is told.


But every time Sundar C refuses to be intimidated and challenges Style Pandi to live up to his threats, the same pattern emerges. Style Pandi offers excuses. One excuse follows another. He retreats, only to issue a fresh challenge, daring Sundar C to meet him somewhere else “if he dares”.


When Sundar C actually turns up, Style Pandi once again manufactures excuses and shifts the confrontation to yet another location. This farce repeats itself several times until, finally, Sundar C confronts him at his own house. Cornered and exposed, Style Pandi breaks down and confesses in a pitiful manner that he is not who he claimed to be at all. He is merely a “comedy piece”—all talk, no action—before begging for forgiveness and mercy.


When I read the news that MIC will now “remain a component of Barisan Nasional until a final decision is made by the party’s Supreme Council, I have to say that the first image that flashed through my mind is that of Style Pandi.


According to MIC deputy president M Saravanan, the party will stay put in BN for now, while its leadership convenes—perhaps next month—to discuss its political direction, including the much-talked-about possibility of joining Perikatan Nasional. Until then, MIC will wait. And wait. And wait some more.


This despite the fact that less than a month ago, its general assembly had passed a resolution to leave BN.


This declaration of sudden restraint came only hours after BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi issued a blunt and unmistakable warning:


“Once you leave BN, there will be no road back.”


Don’t push the BN leadership to make a decision… Only time will tell if you are heading down the right path.” “Many things can happen now and changes are expected,”.


“Don’t regret a decision that does not align with the evolving political landscape… You could be left hanging.”

What makes this episode especially embarrassing is not just the timing, but the setting. Zahid delivered this warning at the general assembly of the Indian Progressive Front (IPF)—a splinter party born out of MIC itself, and a traditional rival that has long positioned itself as an alternative to MIC.


And almost instantly, MIC—which for months had been baring its teeth, posturing boldly, and hinting dramatically about leaving BN—started to waver.


After months of daring talk, where MIC sounded like it will not accept an affront to its self esteem to be treated like an “unwanted guest” within BN, and is ready to leave it is is not wanted or treated with respect, MIC folded the moment it received a firm response.


I cannot help but see MIC exactly as I see Style Pandi: loud, threatening, theatrical—until someone calls the bluff.


Although in one way, I do find the the back and forth between MIC and BN to be a tad humorous, in another way, I have to confess, as an Indian, I cannot but feel a tad embarrassed on behalf of MIC.


Like it or not, MIC has a long and intimate relationship with the Indians in the country - for the longest time, it was both the de jure and de facto Indian party in the country - considering that, to watch the rather undignified and childish antic of a party that claims to represent Malaysian Indians, is something that is certainly painful to watch.


I am certain I am not alone. Many Indians, across political persuasions, will find MIC’s antics deeply embarrassing.


One of the basic signs of self-respect and dignity is knowing your own place and weight. When you know your place and weight, you do not issue issue challenges carelessly. You do not posture dramatically, only to retreat the moment someone responds seriously—as if you are just a comedian who doesn't expect anyone to take you seriously.


If Malaysian Indians of all persuasions had already given up on MIC—abandoning it lock, stock, and barrel, with no interest in returning regardless of what MIC does—then MIC’s performance today will certainly not help its case.


Previously, MIC was merely a party that could offer us nothing.


Now, it has become something worse.


Now it is becoming a party that is causing us embarrassment.


At this stage, after saying all that it said and posturing itself the way that it has postured for months, the only thing left for MIC to do now that BN is calling its bluff, is leave.


If it doesn't, it is just going to look like a comedian instead of the hero of the story.


We can perhaps tolerate a MIC that is incapable of delivering results, but A MIC that causes us to feel like we are the butt of everyone's joke is unlikely to be something that we can abide by.


Rather than turn itself and the community into a laughing stock, many will likely simply wish that the party would simply disappear—and save us from the embarrassment that it is causing itself and everyone else.