MIED insists expansion has MIC nod

Critics fear the move was an attempt by Samy Vellu to wrest away control of the MIED. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 —The Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED) today said its move to expand its membership has the full support of the MIC.

“The applications of these 10 individuals for membership have the full support of the Malaysian Indian Congress,” the board of trustees said in a statement.

It said it has applied to strike out a suit barring an increase of members, filed today by critics who claim it is a move by Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to strengthen his grip on the RM1 billion education wing of the party.

The MIED board, which the former MIC president chairs, said it has postponed today’s meeting to add 10 members pending the hearing of the suit by Samy Vellu’s old rival, Datuk S. Subramaniam.

The former MIC deputy president won an injunction earlier today to stop the board from going ahead with the expansion until the case is heard on March 14 along with MIED’s application.

Subramaniam filed the suit together with former MIC Youth chief A. Vigneswaran and former Kedah state assemblyman Datuk S. Ganesan, who is also a central working committee member.

They are among MIC leaders critical of Samy Vellu and aligned to current president Datuk G. Palanivel, who claimed the former president was attempting to hijack MIED.

“The board of trustees regrets the conduct of the three individuals which only serves to prevent senior members of MIC and central working committee members from serving in MIED,” it said.

The injunction order was given about half an hour before the MIED board of trustees’ meeting this morning.

Leaders within MIC, including veteran party and MIED members, have openly criticised the alleged plan by Samy Vellu to grow the board’s membership by at least 10 seats, which could see MIC’s ownership and control become diluted.

The former MIC president has vehemently denied that the expansion was an attempt to hijack the MIED.

A requisition for an emergency meeting of the MIED board to remove Samy Vellu was submitted on Wednesday by three of its members.

Another member of the board of trustees — Tan Sri Dr T. Marimuthu — was also asked to vacate his position.

Another signatory of the requisition, Ganesan, said Samy Vellu had lost his right to lead MIED after the appointment of Datuk G. Palanivel as the party president.

It is understood, however, the move oust Samy Vellu could be easily defeated as the majority of the 34 MIED members remain loyal to the party’s longest-serving president.

The Malaysian Insider understands Palanivel is still struggling to win the support of the majority of the MIED members because of his failure to award party leaders with GLC positions, government appointments and contracts.

MIED, with assets of about RM1 billion, has been chaired by Samy Vellu since it was established in 1984.

It currently has 34 members who have the power to elect the chairman of the 10-man board of trustees.

MIED is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting in the middle of this year, the first since Palanivel became MIC president last December. - Malaysian Insider