Sakthivel appointed as MIC Secretary-General

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel today appointed a central working committee (CWC) member, A.Sakthivel, as the party’s new secretary-general with immediate effect.

Sakhtivel, 43, will replace Datuk S. Murugesan, who quit his post this morning, following his failure to wrest the Kota Raja parliamentary seat for Barisan Nasional in the 13th General Election (GE13) on May 5.

“I am confident that Sakthivel will carry out his new duties, and use his ‘good offices’ to serve for the future of the party,” Palanivel said in a brief statement here today.

Palanivel said that Sakthivel, who contested and lost in the Kapar parliamentary constituency in the GE13 had been assisting Murugesan in handling the tasks and duties of the secretary-general for the past 18 months.

Responding to Murugesan’s resignation, Palanivel said the former was a dedicated worker and had contributed much to the party’s success and achievements.

“In the resignation letter, Murugesan indicated that he wanted to concentrate on his legal practice, his legal firm and family,” he said. 

Meanwhile, MIC vice-president Datuk M.Saravanan described Murugesan as a friendly and a very hard-working person, who had spent his time so the party could fulfill its strategic goals.

“I wish to thank him for his contribution to strengthening the party since he was appointed in 2011,” he said, adding that those who failed to deliver, should consider to step down to save the party.

When contacted by Bernama, Sakthivel, who appeared shocked to hear of the appointment, however, said he was unaware of his appointment, and would wait for the president to inform him, officially.

“Are you sure I am appointed as the secretary-general? I only heard that Murugesan had resigned. I did not receive any official statement from the president,” he said.

Thanking Palanivel for placing his trust on him, the engineer-cum-businessman said he would focus on his duties and responsibilities to uplift MIC to remain relevant among the Indian community. – Bernama