Is Palanivel still MIC chief? Beats me, says Ku Nan

PETALING JAYA, June 23 — It is uncertain whether Cameron Highlands MP Datuk Seri G. Palanivel is still the legitimate president of MIC, says BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Asked to clarify the confusion over Palanivel’s post, he said only the Registrar of Societies (RoS) could say for sure if Palanivel is still president, based on its interpretation of the MIC’s constitution.

“It is in the hand of RoS according to their (MIC) constitution,” he said.

Attempts to call ROS director-general Mohammad Razin Abdullah yesterday were unsuccessful.

Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam on Sunday had said Palanivel is no longer president or even MIC member in accordance with a resolution the party had passed recently.

The resolution highlighted Article 91 of the constitution which states that party matters cannot be taken to court without consent of the party’s central working committee, failing which the person will cease to be member immediately.

Palanivel found himself in the hot seat on Saturday when he blamed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Barisan Nasional (BN) for the party’s woes, saying Najib “got  involved in pressuring MIC to reject the 2013 party elections”. Najib responded on Twitter the next day and summoned Palanivel to explain his comment.

Tengku Adnan reacted by saying that it was “unbecoming” of Palanivel to blame Najib.

Other BN leaders were also shocked by Palanivel’s comments.

Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong hoped that MIC factions could come together because a divided MIC would affect BN adversely.

“I hope everyone can sit down together and with the help of the prime minister, this can be solved amicably because it is all in the family,” he said.

Asked whether the quarrels in MIC would affect public confidence in BN, he said: “If this thing (MIC crisis) continues, it will have an effect on Barisan Nasional.”

MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said: “I sincerely hope for the solidarity of BN. The problem in MIC should be resolved as soon as possible to gain the support of the Indian community.”

Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Tan Sri Dr James Masing said Najib and others from BN had offered to help but Palanivel declined.

“If he cannot solve his party’s problems, why blame others? It is a most unreasonable, most unkind comment,” he said, urging MIC to follow RoS’s directive.

“This is a democracy. Let the party delegates decide who should be president.”

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman said it was not fair for Palanivel to blame Najib.

“He is motivated by emotions and his followers who are looking for a scapegoat for their predicament and problems,” he said.

Abdul Karim also felt Palanivel would do better by following ROS’s order instead of ‘beating around the bush’ looking for others’ fault.

“If orders from RoS and the court are not respected, there will be lawlessness. He should let MIC members decide his fate in the party.”