Take the blame, MIC leadership told

Embattled Palanivel meanwhile found an ally in his vice president Saravanan who urged detractors to stop attacking the president.

UPDATED

PETALING JAYA: The current MIC leadership, led by president G Palanivel, should take full responsibility over the party’s dismal election result, a renowned political analysts said today.

“It must be the current MIC party leadership (to take responsibility over the poor results). The tsumani is an urban one and many (MIC) seats were lost with big majorities and in a number of cases to Indian MPs from the opposition.

“In five parliamentary constituencies MIC candidates met Indian candidates from the opposition. These seats are Sungai Siput, Tapah (both in Perak), Cameron Highlands (Pahang), Subang and Kapar (Selangor). Out of the five, MIC only won two — Cameron Highlands and Tapah.

“It must be noted that as in 2008, there are more opposition Indian MPs in parliament compared to MIC’s representation.

“In light of the national shift in the urban voting, it might have been difficult for MIC to capture the urban seats with very new professional candidates. This is an overall issues faced by MCA and Gerakan,” Dr Denison Jayasooria of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia told FMT.

Jayasooria was the former director of Yayasan Strategik Sosial, the social arm and think tank of the MIC.

MIC contested nine parliamentary and 18 state seats in this election. It only managed to win four parliamentary and five state seats, making it the party’s worst electoral performance in its history.

Attracting urban Indians

On the future for the party, which boasts to have 630,000 Indians under its wings, Jayasooria said the party must now review its membership and repair party image to appeal more to urban Indians.

“There has to be dramatic changes at the division levels of the party to identify younger people to take leadership in the party. MIC must win back the confidence of not just Indians but also other communities such as Chinese and Malays.

“One major task is to establish some effective delivery and monitoring teams for the delivery of the BN election promises made in the BN manifesto. The document of promise with Hindraf must be implemented effectively.

“MIC must also engage with the community through direct dialogues and dissemination of information…it is necessary to be transparent of all funds received and disbursed,” he added.

He said it was time for the party to do some soul searching and have meetings with all Indian civil society and community groups.

The party, he said, must make itself relevant even if it requires MIC to formulate new aims and objectives.

Pick sensible leaders
MIC must also have frequent consultation with other BN friendly organisations not only on politics but also culture and religion, he added.

“The PM has been more inclusive and responsive to different Indian groups. MIC could play a key role by working with others as equal partners,” he added.

He said since the party is due for its internal elections, party leaders and members must make a sensible choice in picking credible leaders who deliver.

“It is up to party members to determine who should lead the party and who should form the central working committee. The MIC general assembly must take into account the changing political situation in Malaysia and reorganise itself early in time for the 14th general election

“There must be some major review of new people at all levels at the national, divisional and local levels. In addition there must be a review of the youth, women and other sections of the MIC,” he added.

Saravanan defends MIC chief
In another development, MIC vice-president M Saravanan has defended Palanivel who is facing fresh calls for him to relinquish his post from various MIC leaders and members.

Saravanan said it was unfair to ask Palanivel to vacate the position “just because something does not go according to plan.”

“The call asking Palanivel to step down was made because MIC fared badly in the general election. This is unfair. If a party president is changed just because the party runs into trouble, then there will be no continuity.

“Every political party needs continuity for it to be stable. I am not saying members can’t criticise but we have to be fair in our criticism. In this case, Palanivel deserves a chance. He has been president for barely four years,” he told FMT.

Yesterday, former Pahang MIC Youth chief CK Chandran told FMT that Palanivel should take responsibility over the party’s dismal performance at the just concluded general election and resign the party post although he has been elected as a member of parliament.

He had said Palanivel should be blamed for the party’s lethargic performance in the polls.

Chandran had also called on the prime minister not to give any cabinet position for Palanivel.

Responding to this, Saravanan said cabinet positions were the prerogative of the prime minister.

“It is the same with the ministerial positions. It is in the hands of the prime minister who is also the BN chief. So let time take its course and not put undue pressure on the PM with demands. He will know what to do,” said Saravanan.