MIC lists over 2,800 branches in preparation for election

MIC is in the process of finalising a list of more than 2,800 branches in preparing for the party's polls on Sept 6, said MIC acting president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

Dr Subramaniam, who is also Health Minister, said the decision on the list (of branches) would be final to determine the future of the 68-year-old party.

He said he hoped the party crisis would be settled in two months after all the election processes at division and central levels have been completed.

"The party will return to normalcy. This crisis is only temporary and I believe MIC will recover in two months," he told reporters after the Health Ministry's Aidilfitri celebration, here today.

Commenting on the election held by supporters of former party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Dr Subramaniam said the Registrar of Societies (RoS) knew which election results would be recognised.

"The RoS is aware of the matter. It has long decided the results of which faction would be recognised," he said.

Palanivel's supporters held an election two days ago in Kuala Lumpur with the former Natural Resources and Environment Minister declared winning the MIC president post uncontested for the 2013-2016 term.

The MIC crisis arose over a difference of opinion between Palanivel and Dr Subramaniam after the Registrar of Societies issued a notice on Dec 5 asking the party to hold re-elections.

RoS director-general Datuk Mohammad Razin Abdullah in a letter dated June 25 to the MIC interim central working committee (CWC) secretary-general in 2009, A. Sakthivel, stated that that due to the 'ipso facto' factor, Palanivel was no longer an MIC member, while Dr Subramaniam was assigned as the acting president.

Meanwhile, Dr Subramaniam said the total number of dengue cases last week fell to 2,583 compared to 2,736 cases the week earlier.

However, he said the total of 73,263 cases recorded since January was still alarming.

"At the peak, there were 3,000 cases a week. We hope the total will continue to fall.

"Public awareness is very important. I can see improvements at state and local authorities levels," he said.