Palanivel shies away from revealing AGM bill

Total expenditure for the party's annual event this year will be disclosed in the annual report, says G Palanivel.

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president G Palanivel declined to reveal the total cost of hosting the party’s 65th AGM at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) this weekend.

It was reported that unlike previous AGMs, which was traditionally held at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, the bill for this year’s event may run into the millions.

“All will be revealed in the annual report. We are transparent,” said Palanivel when asked during a press conference held at the MIC headquarters this morning.

MIC treasurer Jaspal Singh later explained that PICC was picked for the AGM because the convention centre could accommodate the bigger crowd expected this year.

Palanivel, who will be chairing his first AGM since taking over the helm of the party in January this year, also announced an allocation of RM800,000 for party branches.

He was, however, reluctant to discuss his presidential address which he will deliver to about 4,000 delegates this Saturday.

“I will lay out a new political map for the party and the community,” he said, adding that more than 30 requests have already been forwarded to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

“MIC supports BN but I can’t say that all Indians do. If the PM helps, Indian support (for BN) will surely rise, and the Indian votes will return,” said Palanivel.

Bags are only RM46 each

The MIC had its worst election run in 2008, resulting in only three of its reps in Parliament.

“We have 600,000 members of which 390,000 are voters. If we can increase the numbers, Indians will decide the winners for the general election,” added Palanivel.

As for the party’s priority Palanivel said: “We want MIC to show support for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and to show that Indians are with MIC.”

Division and branch chairmen are expected to be provided with expensive briefcases and goodies to boost their image and ‘empower’ them when meeting with members.

Palanivel also refuted reports that the bags for about 3,700 of them cost about RM200 a piece, saying each bag with a pen and writing pad included cost only RM46 each.

Asked if his deputy and human resources minister, Dr S Subramaniam’s call for the release of six PSM activists mirrored MIC’s stand, he said: “I made the call to the PM a few days ago.”