Kuala lumpur: The effort to integrate the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (KIMMA) as a component party within the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition necessitates unanimous consent from existing key parties and must be formally endorsed during the coalition's Supreme Council meeting. BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed personal support for KIMMA's inclusion and is prepared to advance their application for further consideration. However, this process remains subject to the BN constitution, which mandates full approval from all current component parties.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid emphasized the requirement for unanimous approval, stating, "The BN constitution itself says that any application to join BN as a core party must have unanimous, or 100 per cent, approval from all existing core parties. That cannot be changed." He urged those who claim they are not blocking the application to demonstrate this at the next BN Supreme Council meeting by issuing an official, written statement to accept and amend the BN constitution. Ahmad Zahid made these remarks during the 46th KIMMA annual general meeting at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre, attended by key BN figures and delegates from across the nation.

Ahmad Zahid, also the UMNO president, praised KIMMA's unwavering loyalty to UMNO and BN over the years. He stressed the importance of consistent loyalty in political organizations and urged KIMMA to trust his commitment to presenting their case at the BN Supreme Council. He also called on allied partners to avoid opportunistic politics and uphold the trust placed in them, especially as the nation's political landscape stabilizes.

He highlighted historical instances where political groups betrayed agreements, undermining unity and national interests. In a gesture of reconciliation, Ahmad Zahid announced BN's willingness to readmit previously expelled or suspended members, aligning with the Rumah Bangsa UMNO concept aimed at strengthening party unity.

Furthermore, Ahmad Zahid encouraged KIMMA and other parties to empower younger generations, ensuring leadership continuity. At a subsequent press conference, he noted that any consensus-based rule changes could pave the way for Friends of BN parties to attain full component status. He assured that the eight resolutions proposed by KIMMA at the assembly would receive due consideration.

KIMMA, with a membership of 118,000 nationwide, currently holds the status of an allied party of UMNO and a Friends of BN component.