Storm in MIC over reappointment of senators for a second term

PETALING JAYA: The decision to renominate two MIC senators for a second term has kicked up a storm in the party.

This is because party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel had earlier promised that the party would restrict senatorship from the party to only one term to give more members the chance to serve in that capacity.

The two senators, Datuk V. Subramaniam and A. Sivapakiam, both from PJ Selatan division, completed their first three-year terms yesterday and have been reappointed for another term. They are scheduled to be sworn in on Monday.

Palanivel said yesterday the two were reappointed following discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“The PM said all senators should serve for two terms,” he said in an SMS reply toThe Star.

MIC strategic director Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari, however, questioned Palanivel’s reply, stating that it was unlikely that Najib had intervened in the matter.

“The decision is the prerogative of the president. The Prime Minister will not intervene in the process. Any attempt to involve the Prime Minister to avoid the barrage of criticism is naughty, disrespectful and aimed at tarnishing his image as Barisan chairman,” he said in a statement.

Vell Paari said there is much unhappiness within MIC over the reappointment of the two senators because the party’s central working committee in 2011 had decided that all senators would only serve one term.

Former Wanita MIC chief Datin Paduka Jaya Partiban said it is unfortunate that the president had not kept his word. -Star