RoS' decision proves that we are not 'sour grapes' - MIC

Former MIC central working committee member M.Madhu Marimuthu said for a year those who called for a re-election were labeled as 'sore losers' and told they had no case. (Marimuthu was one of those who had complained to the RoS over the irregularities.)

“The decision proves that the election last year was not done properly as we have been telling all these while,” he said in a telephone interview with Astro AWANI.

He said despite the RoS letter stating its decision last Friday, party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel is yet to respond or make an official statement.

“He has continued to be silent and it’s the party’s deputy president who has been making statements since the announcement was made,” he said.

Last Friday, RoS had ordered MIC to hold fresh elections for the posts of three vice-presidents, 23-member Central Working Committee (CWC) as well as for eight divisions in Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor, Subang, Bandar Baru Kulim, Taiping, Tambun, Sepang and Jasin.

RoS 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.

There were claims of irregularities in the MIC’s party election last year where eight people contested for the three vice-presidents' posts while 88 contested for the 23 CWC posts.

The RoS was also accused of dragging its feet for failing to act on the complaints, filed a year ago.

This is not the first time the RoS had told a political party to hold a re-election of its party polls due to irregularities.

In 2013, the RoS had ordered the DAP to hold a re-election of its central executive committee (CEC) following a technical glitch in vote counting.

The party subsequently did so on Sept 29, which saw the same set of leaders returning as CEC members.

Meanwhile, Madhu reminded all that the current fiasco in the party is not a move to topple Palanivel but to save the 68-year-old party.

He said, however it was for the best if Palanivel resigns and hands over the party reins to his deputy, Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam.

His sentiments were echoed by former Youth leader Datuk T. Mohan who had also lodged complaints with the RoS last year.

“We cannot proceed with a re-election if Palanivel is still sitting on top. He has to be a gentleman and accept that this embarrassment (today) is because of him,” he said when contacted.

He said an independent committee for the re-election headed by senior MIC leaders, would be a good start to restore confidence and dignity of the party.

“The committee should also include those who won and lost in the party elections last year as observers. Our main concern now is to hold a re-election in 90 days or the party can be de-registered,” he said.

“Palanivel now has no choice but to agree to the setting up of an independent committee to oversee the re-election,” he added.

Because of the order from RoS, the party had to postpone its annual general meeting, scheduled on Dec 13 and 14 until party polls are conducted.

In the 2013 party election, the posts of vice-presidents were won by Datuk S. Sothinathan, Datuk M. Saravanan and Datuk S. Balakrishnan.