Subramaniam dismisses Whatsapp message over MIC crisis debate

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam today dismissed a message circulated on the WhatsApp social application that he would engage in a debate with MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel on the current party crisis.

Stressing that the message should not be taken seriously, the health minister said the party crisis should be resolved in the family spirit upheld by the Barisan Nasional (BN).

"This is not an issue involving a BN party and the opposition that we should bring to a debate, but a family matter. We have to resolve this issue in the family spirit," he told reporters at the lobby of Parliament House.

The Registrar of Societies (RoS) has ordered MIC to hold fresh elections following complaints of irregularities in the 2013 party elections. Palanivel and four other MIC leaders have sought a judicial review of the RoS order.

Dr Subramaniam, when questioned about the re-elections, said the RoS was carrying out a cleansing of the MIC branches and added that this would take about a week or two.

The High Court is to deliver its decision on March 20 on a preliminary objection against the MIC's application for leave for the judicial review.