MIC postpones AGM for fresh elections

The MIC has postponed its annual general meetings scheduled for this month to pave the way for the party to hold fresh elections for its 23-member Central Working Committee (CWC) and three posts of vice-president in keeping with a decision of the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

This was confirmed by party deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam today at a packed press conference at the MIC headquarters here.

The MIC Youth, Wanita MIC, Putera MIC and Puteri MIC annual general meetings had been scheduled for tomorrow, and the 68th MIC Annual General Meeting has been scheduled for Dec 13 and 14.

"Of course, it is a very sad day and black day in our (MIC) history and it has saddened all of us that the party has been dragged into this situation.

"The party, which was established in 1946, never encountered such a situation," said Subramaniam, who is also Health Minister.

The ROS yesterday ordered the MIC to hold fresh elections for the three posts of vice-president and the CWC as well as for eight divisions, namely Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor, Subang, Bandar Baru Kulim, Taiping, Tambun, Sepang and Jasin.

It also ordered the party to hold fresh elections for Batu Kawan (post of division deputy chairman), Kota Raja (division chairman), Tanjung Malim (division chairman) and Taman Koperasi Polis (branch chairman) within 30 days.

However, Dr Subramaniam did not say whether there would a re-election for the Youth and Wanita wings.

He called on party members to remain calm and focused, saying the party that represented the Indian community was always known to champion and promote the needs of the community.

"The party will not be destroyed by one incident like this. Let us stand together strongly. Let us identify the weaknesses and search for the cause of this problem. Let's make whatever changes we need to make in order to take the party to greater heights," he said.

Expressing his sadness, Dr Subramaniam said although this news was painful, party members should strengthen themselves and remain united to develop a strong, vibrant and resilient party to fulfill the aspirations of the members and the people.

He said he would hold a special meeting with party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel on the matter next week as Palanivel is abroad.

The ROS had investigated several complaints of irregularities at the party elections on Nov 30 and Dec 1 last year.

The complainants wanted the ROS to, among others, nullify the results and order fresh polls for the CWC and the three posts of vice-president.

There were also claims of irregularities over the ballot papers for the election for the posts of vice-president.

The 2013-2016 MIC elections last year saw a contest among eight senior leaders for the three posts of vice-president while 88 candidates, among them two women, vied for the 23 posts in the CWC.

The election for vice-presidents was won by Datuk S. Sothinathan, Datuk M. Saravanan and Datuk S. Balakrishnan.