Thank you for solving our crisis - MIC leaders

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announcement of fresh party elections in MIC should not be construed as interference from UMNO in the party’s affairs, said two top MIC leaders.

Instead, the Barisan Nasional chairman's intervention was timely and done in the spirit of BN unity, said MIC former strategic director Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari.

"I am thankful to Najib, (BN secretary-general) Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and (UMNO vice-president) Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who have given us time to solve the crisis," he said when contacted by Astro AWANI.

He said the announcement came at the right time and will serve as a lesson to future leaders.

Vell Paari added that the focus now would be to rebuild the party's name and prepare for the next general-election.

Echoing his views was MIC vice-president, Datuk M. Saravanan who also thanked Najib and said the prime minister had always been concerned over matters involving the component parties.

"He had said the re-election was necessary to end the issue. Thank you for your concern and for taking this seriously," he said when contacted.

"I'm not sure if the central working committee (CWC) also needs to be re-elected but what happened serves as good lesson. What's important now is to look for a solution," he said.

He said details will only be announced after the party receives letter from the Registrar of Societies (RoS).

Saravanan, when asked if he would still challenge party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel for the post, said he would leave the matter to his supporters.

Following a meeting with Palanivel and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam today, Najib subsequently announced that MIC will be holding fresh elections to resolve the crisis in the party.

"The decision will be conveyed by MIC to the RoS so that appropriate action can be taken to hold fresh elections," Najib said in a statement.

The MIC internal crisis arose after RoS cancelled the election for the post of three vice-presidents and 23 CWC members during the MIC general assembly in November 2013.