The Cabinet reshuffle announced today by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was was a blatant snub of MCA and MIC.

It was a blunt reminder of their political irrelevance at the federal level. Once again, both parties were completely left out of the federal Cabinet, reinforcing the growing perception that they are no longer relevant or useful to the current administration.

Despite being formal components of Barisan Nasional (BN) and nominal partners in the Unity Government, neither party secured even a junior ministerial role.

This exclusion comes after months of tantrums, threats and other public displays, which suggested both parties expected some form of recognition.

At the federal level, MCA has only two MPs, two senators and eight assemblymen nationwide. MIC’s position is even weaker, with just one MP, two senators and five assemblymen.

These numbers alone reflect their diminished leverage, but the Cabinet snub has turned numerical weakness into public humiliation.

Sources familiar with internal discussions say both parties are now seriously considering exiting the Unity Government altogether.

According to one insider, the leadership believes remaining within the coalition without representation has become politically indefensible, especially to their grassroots supporters.

The situation is made worse by the fact that MCA and MIC had previously issued thinly veiled ultimatums, warning that continued marginalisation would force them to reassess their position. Those ultimatums have now backfired badly.

Not only were they ignored, they appear to have hardened attitudes against them, leaving party leaders exposed and embarrassed.

Within MIC, Deputy President M. Saravanan is said to be particularly furious. He has been described by insiders as the driving force behind efforts to secure a ministerial post, believing it was critical for MIC’s survival and for maintaining relevance within the Indian community. The outright rejection of that push has reportedly left him seething and politically cornered.

Following this setback, sources claim that MIC wants to expedite their application to be with Perikatan Nasional. This is nothing but seen as a survival strategy, especially as MIC leaders feel they have exhausted their options within BN and the Unity government.

MCA, meanwhile, finds itself in a similar bind. Party leaders are said to be deeply uncomfortable with Umno’s growing accommodation of Pakatan Harapan, particularly DAP, while long-standing BN partners continue to be sidelined.

The sense of betrayal is no longer confined to private meetings and is increasingly reflected in public statements.

This has inevitably intensified recent spats with BN’s chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

MCA and MIC leaders have openly questioned BN’s direction under his leadership, while Zahid has attempted to downplay tensions and insist that both parties remain committed to the coalition.

What is unfolding is not a sudden rebellion. Years of electoral decline have reduced MCA and MIC to nothing but junior partners in BN.