MIC, presidential contest and full moon

The MIC constitution does not give the party's Central Working Committee arbitrary powers to prolong the term of president as long as the president wishes.

COMMENT

By Vivega

Members of the powerful Central Working Committee (CWC) which is also MIC’s highest policy–making body must now without further delay call for an urgent meeting to discuss Article 51 of the party’s constitution and advice the members on the status of presidential election.

If this doesn’t happen quickly, MIC will face a risk of being de-registered simply because G Palanivel’s position as the president is illegitimate. This will and can prompt the Registrar of Society to conduct investigations.

The CWC needs to exercise its powers to make a final and conclusive decision. Elections for all party positions must be held at the soonest.

The CWC shall be responsible for and conduct of the presidential election. The CWC should have appointed an “Election Committee” to conduct the election not later than three months before the expiry of the term of the office of the president.

This is clearly stipulated under Article 58.3 of the party constitution.

Though I am not a constitutional law expert, isn’t it legally binding on the CWC to inform the party delegates on this legal technicality.

The CWC cannot deliberately allow Palanivel to stick to the party leadership. The CWC has breached the law by not doing so.

MIC is grappling with the question how to stay relevant during the time of changing political landscape, and now with this legal complications, the party is clearly heading towards disaster.

S Samy Vellu was re-elected party president on March 2009. Since then, four years have passed. Based on simple logics, Palanivel has no locus standi to run the party. He took over from Samy Vellu as an acting president in March 2010.

President’s trick

Palanivel’s trick of trying to please everybody and trying to be nice all the time does not work.

Party insiders reveal Palanivel has been quietly directing all state office-bearers to pass resolutions that he must not be challenged at the party’s presidential election. He must stop using this strategy.

The CWC must tell clearly to Palanivel that he is only an acting president of MIC and that he has to undergo the presidential election process.

How could MIC focus on delivering Indian votes to Barisan Nasional when the party president himself is illegitimate? Majority of Indians had grown tired of this.

Under the leadership of acting president Palanivel, MIC members are further divided into factions but they pretend to be united.

Palanivel has lost his credibility. Despite allocating RM34.4 million in aid for the people of Cameron Highlands and neighbouring areas since 2011, Palanivel only managed to win with mere 460 votes.

Party insiders openly say, this time around Palanivel may resort to vote buying in the coming presidential election due to his strange political style.

And, the could be right! Palanivel’s magic may work during the next CWC meeting on May 24 as that day falls on a full moon day.

Vivega is a political observer and an MIC member.