No need for Urimai to be made PN component, says Tuan Ibrahim

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Urimai could be a ‘partner’ in the opposition front.

PETALING JAYA: A PAS leader said there was no need for Indian-based party Urimai to be made a Perikatan Nasional component as the coalition had recently welcomed the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) into its fold.

Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Urimai could, however, be a “partner”.

“This is what PAS would propose,” its deputy president told FMT, adding that any application to join PN would be discussed by the top leaders in the opposition.

“There are many who wish to join PN and this is encouraging and inspires confidence.”

Tuan Ibrahim said PN should instead focus on enhancing cooperation among the current components, including MIPP, which has been tasked to woo the Indian voters.

Apart from MIPP, the opposition is banking on Gerakan, the PAS non-Muslim supporters’ wing, and Bersatu’s associate wing to attract the Indian electorate.

Yesterday, Urimai’s interim chairman, P Ramasamy, said the party might consider joining PN if the opposition is willing to defend the plight of the non-Malays.

Ramasamy, formerly with DAP, said Urimai was open to working with any coalition, except Pakatan Harapan.

Urimai was formed in November 2023 following Ramasamy’s exit from DAP and is awaiting approval by the Registrar of Societies.

MIPP was accepted into PN in April, with its president, P Punithan, appointed deputy chairman of PN’s Indian community committee.