MIPP and Gerakan: PN’s invisible men

In the world of Malaysian politics, two parties – the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) and Gerakan – are often left feeling invisible within the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition. To describe their position as "invisible" would be an understatement. These parties are often compared to plastic indoor plants, meant to add a touch of multiracial color to the PN room, but they wither and fail to contribute anything substantial.

MIPP, once a bold newcomer, now finds itself in the lowest rung of PN’s hierarchy. After contesting five seats in Johor and losing all their deposits, the party announced it would boycott the Melaka state election due to disagreements over seat distribution with PN leadership. The party refuses to compromise its dignity and insists on not accepting irrelevant seats. This decision reveals the deep ideological mismatch between the minority interest party and the dominant parties within PN.

On the other hand, Gerakan, a veteran political party, has struggled to find its place within PN. Initially, Gerakan joined the coalition to serve as the non-Malay face, but has failed to attract non-Malay voters away from Pakatan Harapan, particularly DAP. This has led to a situation where Gerakan operates in the shadow of PAS and Bersatu, with little leverage or electoral support. The ideological differences between Gerakan’s secular principles and PAS’s Islamic stance have only added to its struggles.

Both parties find themselves in a precarious position within PN, a coalition that is already facing structural issues and internal strife. As PN faces its own challenges, the future of MIPP and Gerakan remains uncertain.