Palanivel makes U-turn

In a twist of events, G Palanivel says he may continue being MIC president post 2016 due to overwhelming support from party members.

KUALA LUMPUR: Newly elected MIC president G Palanivel has hinted that he may stay much longer as party president after receiving overwhelming support from branch chairmen.

Before today, Palanivel who is also Natural Resource and Environmental minister had said that if he manage to secure his position in the coming polls, it will be his last term.

However, today he retracted his words and claimed that he is still undecided if to vacate the seat come 2016.

“Yes, I said that I will not retain my post in the 2016 party election. But, looking back at the support received from branch chairmen, I have to revisit my original plan,” he told reporters here at party head quarters.

Earlier, MIC branch chairmen witnessed a peaceful conduct of its nomination for presidential election for 2013-2016 today wherein Palanivel won unopposed.

The election committee chairman K Kumaran informed that only one candidate, namely Palanivel, is nominated for the presidential post after nomination was closed at 12.00pm.

The incumbent president  received 617 nominations from the total of 3988 branch chairmen.

Speaking to reporters here, Kumaran said that Palanivel was officially elected as the 8th president of MIC under articles 58.3 and 58.1.2 of the party constitution.

“Today, nearly 3,702 branch chairmen picked me for the top post. Seems, 97% of the party members have trust on me, therein I should be more careful on party related issues.”

“I want to resign. But, the supporters want me to continue in the party,” he added, with his supporters cheering “sambung.. sambung”(continue).

However he did point out that 2016 is a long way to go for him and MIC.

“Currently, we are facing a lot of issues related to Indians. We need to highlight it first before thinking about my position,” he said.
He also said that in an immediate follow-up he will submit papers to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for special allocations for the Indians in the 2014 budget.

“I will make use this three years to rebuild MIC and Indian community.”

PM’s advise ignored

Previously, it was reported that an understanding has been reached between Palanivel and his deputy, Dr Subramaniam, that he will step down as the president in 2016 and Dr Subramaniam will lead MIC into the next general election, due in 2018.

Prior to that Dr Subramaniam was expected to challenge Palanivel for the presidential election. Dr Subramaniam who is also the Health Minister had indicated on many occasions that he may go for the number one post.

However it was reported that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak intervened and averted the contest.

It is learnt that Najib Tun Razak met Palanivel, his deputy and two vice presidents at his residence on Aug 18, to strike a deal between Palanivel and Subramaniam.

During the meeting, Najib manage to pacify both parties and ensured they agreed to a peace deal and an amicable transfer of power in Mar, 2016.

No favourism in party line-up

Meanwhile, on a party related matter, Palanivel said he is planning to build a new tower with enhanced facilities that will generate more income for MIC.

“MIC is a poor party, We don’t have money. Thus, we have to invest in properties,” added.

When asked about the deputy, vice presidents and central working committee(CWC) elections, he said that he will be the returning officer.

Though he insisted not to favour any particular line up, he would not hesitate to suggest if there is a need.

“I believe there is no contest for deputy president. But, there will be a contest for the three vice presidents’ posts,” said Palanivel.
He also said the division election would be held on Sep 20 onwards.

Palanivel has been with the party since 1968. The Penangite who graduated from University Malaya, initially became a teacher at the Goon Institute in Kuala Lumpur and then at Maktab Adabi in Kuantan.

He joined Bernama as a journalist in 1977 and had also worked at the National Museum and Penang Consumer Association.

He was later promoted to be the economic news editor in Bernama. His political career picked up after Samy Vellu invited Palanivel to be his press secretary. Samy Vellu was then also the works minister.

Palanivel has always been known as the piggyback boy of Samy Vellu.

In 2006, Palanivel defeated S Subramaniam for the post of deputy president. He was later appointed as acting president to replace Samy Vellu on Dec 6, 2010.

The father of four won  the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat on his first attempt.

Since then, he had won every single election as member of parliament until Mar 8, 2008 where he lost his seat by a slim majority to the PKR candidate.

Nevertheless he was made senator and went on to be a minister in the prime minister’s office.

In the 13th General Election, Palanivel won the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat and is a minister in the cabinet today.