In a joint statement by their presidents Wee Ka Siong and SA Vigneswaran, the two parties – which have for decades been part of the alliance that ruled Malaysia from independence to May 9 last year – expressed regret with the silence of Umno leaders over what they said were “racial remarks” by Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz.

“The uncalled for racial remarks by Nazri have further damaged the ties between the three founding parties,” the duo said following a meeting between leaders of MCA and MIC today.

They were referring to recent remarks by Nazri, who is also the BN secretary-general, who reportedly questioned the appointment of non-Muslims to top posts such as the attorney-general, chief justice and finance minister.

Nazri had said the non-Muslim appointees were not able to be sworn in using the Quran, drawing flak from politicians from both sides of the divide.

The former minister had since explained that he was reflecting the sentiments on the ground, and said he was not a racist as proven by his past statements defending the existence of vernacular schools.

Wee and Vigneswaran said there had been repeated attacks on the foundation of BN, which was “carved by our founders who piloted the coalition to promote political unity, stability and harmony in a multiracial nation”.

“When leaders from component parties began attacking its own coalition members and when public statements were made undermining the spirit and foundation of BN along racial lines, the BN concept and spirit have been undermined and sieged,” they added.

They further said Nazri’s appointment as the BN secretary-general was illegal as it was not agreed by the two parties.

They added there was no “mutual respect” in BN.

“MCA and MIC are therefore left with no choice but to move on to explore a new alliance to reflect the true intentions of unity in diversity of its original intent,” the statement said.