MIC crisis: I have met and discussed with MIC president - Dr Subramaniam

Subramaniam, who had met Palanivel after the weekly Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya today, however, declined to comment on the issues discussed and was only willing to say that he was confident the internal party problems could be promptly settled.

He said he would always cooperate to solve the party's problems following a directive from the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to the party hold a re-election for three vice-presidential and 23 central working committee (CWC) seats.

"We had quite a long discussion which must be kept confidential in the interest of the party," he told reporters after witnessing the Blood Donation Campaign For The East Coast Flood Victims here, Wednesday.

Dr Subramaniam, who is also Health Minister, also refuted that he and Palanivel had become distant lately due to the MIC political crisis.

On Tuesday, Dr Subramaniam had said that he was not aware of the latest developments in the party, involving communication between the party president and ROS, especially on Palanivel's statement on Jan 4 that he had met RoS on Dec 24.

When asked to comment on the accusations of some people who connected Palanivel's wife, Datin Seri R. Kanagam to the MIC crisis, Dr Subramaniam said he hoped MIC members would not involve personal matters in the party's problem as it could worsen the situation.

He said members must adhere to healthy political ethics.

Dr Subramaniam said the problems faced by MIC now were problems which could be solved in a good way if all members cooperated with each other.

On Dec 5, ROS, among others, directed MIC to conduct re-elections for 23 CWC and three vice-presidential seats in 90 days because there were claims of irregularities and violations of the party constitution and Societies Act.

RoS also told MIC to hold again elections for eight divisions in 60 days, namely for Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor, Subang, Bandar Baru Kulim, Taiping, Tambun, Sepang and Jasin.

RoS also directed the party to conduct elections again for Batu Kawan (deputy chairman), Kota Raja (division chairman), Tanjung Malim (division chairman) and Taman Koperasi Polis (branch chairman) in 30 days.

Two branches - Merlimau Utara and Pekeliling Selatan Flats - were told to conduct a re-election in 30 days.