Dr Subramaniam wins MIC president post uncontested

Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam has become the new MIC president after winning the post uncontested as nomination for the 2013-2016 term closed today.

The result was announced by Election Committee chairman Datuk B.Sagadevan after the nomination of candidates organised by the 2009 Interim Central Working Committee at the party headquarters here closed at 6.30pm.

Dr Subramaniam who was former MIC deputy president since 2010 and later the acting MIC president, received 450 nominations from 2,700 of the 2,843 branches.

The announcement was greeted with applause and cheers from more than 2,000 supporters and delegates gathered at MIC headquarters.

The party constitution stipulates that candidates contesting for the number one post must be the chairman of a branch and could garner 50 nominations, while each nomination must have a proposer and five seconders.

The Health Minister's victory however is expected to further fuel the crisis confronting the 68-year-old party as former party president Datuk Seri G.Palanivel on Aug 9 was also declared as party president in a nomination of candidates by his supporters.

Meanwhile, Dr Subramaniam told a media conference described his victory as a huge challenge and responsibility.

He thanked party members who had expressed confidence in him and pledged to look after the wellbeing of the Indian community including in the aspect of education, economy and social.

He said aside from preparing the party machinery for the 14th general election, MIC through the new leadership lineup would strengthen the party and Indian community through the setting up of a consultative council.

Meanwhile, Dr Subramaniam said elections for the divisional level would be held in September while that for the central working committee (CWC), deputy president and vice presidents would be held at the MIC National Convention in October.

A crisis was sparked in MIC following differences in opinion between Palanivel and Dr S. Subramaniam on the notice issued by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) last Dec 5 directing the party to hold fresh elections.

The crisis escalated when RoS director general Datuk Mohammad Razin Abdullah in a letter dated June 25 to MIC interim CWC 2009 secretary general A.Sakthivel said that Palanivel was no longer "ipso facto" an MIC member.

The letter also stated that Dr Subramaniam would take over from Palanivel as MIC acting president.

Earlier around 4.30pm, a fracas occurred at the party's headquarters compound while the nomination process for the MIC president's post was going on.

Some individuals including policemen were reported to have been injured in the incident.

According to a witness who is also a branch leader from Selangor, a group which had gathered outside the premises started hurling objects such as wood, stones and bottles at supporters in the compound.

"The supporters retaliated by tossing the objects back," he said.

However quick action by the Federal Reserve unit brought the situation under control.