MIC remains in BN for now, says Zambry

MIC remains part of BN for now, while the coalition has formally accepted the re-entry of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) as a component, BN secretary-general Zambry Abd Kadir said tonight.

Zambry said the decisions were among matters resolved at the BN supreme council meeting held in Kota Kinabalu.

“I would like to inform that the meeting today has also accepted the re-entry of PPP into BN,” he said after the meeting concluded.

When asked about MIC’s position amid reports that the party may leave BN, Zambry said no official notification had been received.

“As of now, we have not received anything. Until yesterday, and over the past few days, we have continued to maintain good communication,” he said.

“So reports claiming that they have exited or otherwise, we do not regard those as valid sources until we are officially informed.

“However, I am confident that MIC remains with BN at this point,” he added.

MIC mulls leaving BN

MIC last year approved a motion at its annual general assembly allowing the party to consider leaving BN, citing dissatisfaction with its political space within the coalition.

MIC previously acknowledged sending a letter to Perikatan Nasional after reports it had applied to join the coalition.

Bersatu and PN sources said MIC’s application to join the coalition was approved in principle in December, a claim MIC has denied, saying its letter sought clarification rather than formal membership.

However, Zambry clarified that no formal notice has been communicated to the coalition to date.

Zambry said MIC president SA Vigneswaran was, however, unable to attend the meeting due to time constraints, adding that several others were also absent for similar reasons.

Sabah BN leadership appointments

The supreme council meeting also endorsed appointments to Sabah BN’s leadership, with Arthur Kurup named as state chairperson, Jafry Ariffin appointed deputy chairperson, and Hasnol Ayob confirmed as state secretary.

Zambry said that the meeting included a briefing on preparations for the ongoing Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections, covering campaign strategy and coordination to ensure readiness on the ground.

He added that the council recorded its appreciation to Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor for cooperating with BN, including the appointment of two BN leaders into the Sabah cabinet.

“We wish to record our appreciation and thanks to the chief minister himself for the cooperation and joint efforts with BN, and for the appointment of two candidates from BN to join the state cabinet - Jafry as a minister and Anil Sandhu as a state assistant minister,” he said.

Zambry described the post-election cooperation between BN and the Sabah government as positive, expressing hope that it would strengthen political stability and governance in the state.

Those present at the meeting were Jafry, who is also Sabah Umno chairperson; Arthur, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president; MCA deputy president Mah Hang Soon; Wanita BN chief Noraini Ahmad; and PPP president Loga Bala Mohan.

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