ROS rejects Palanivel’s request for deadline extension

Branches will be considered defunct automatically as 14-day notice is required but deadline is 10 days away.

PUTRAJAYA: The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has rejected MIC president G Palanivel’s request for an extension of the 90-day deadline for re-election.

According to MIC Vice President M Saravanan, the ROS had issued a letter to MIC on January 6, informing the party that the earlier directive to hold re-election for branch (30 days), Division (60 days) and MIC Central

Working Committee (90 days) from January 31, was final.

“In the letter, the ROS had said no appeal will be entertained. Until today (January 20), the issue of MIC branches has yet to be solved although the deadline is only 10 days away.

“Notice must be given 14 days before an election is held. I believe the branches will be considered defunct automatically. However, it is up to the ROS to give another opportunity,” he told reporters when met at the ROS office, here yesterday.

Saravanan who is also the Deputy Youth and Sports Minister expressed concern and disappointment over the MIC President’s complacency to resolve the matter which has besieged the 600,000-member party.

Following the deadlock, Saravanan said he had submitted a letter to the ROS to seek its approval to enable the MIC Delegates of the 2009-2012 term to take over the party’s role to hold a re-election.

“As we are aware, the party’s election held in 2013 has been declared null and void. Therefore, I have asked the ROS to recognise leaders elected to office for the 2009-2012 term to decide the future of the party. I hope the ROS will approve our request. We will then meet the divisions to find a solution and probably go ahead with the re-election as per the directive by ROS,” he said.

On December 5, the ROS ordered the MIC to hold fresh elections for the posts of three vice presidents and 23 central working committee (CWC) seats within 90 days after finding irregularities in the election held during the 68th MIC General Meeting in Malacca on November 30, 2013.

The ROS had also ordered the party to hold new elections for eight divisions namely Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor, Subang, Bandar Baru Kulim, Taiping, Tambun, Sepang and Jasin, within 60 days as well to hold re-elections for Batu Kawan (deputy chairman post), Kota Raja (division chairman post), Tanjung Malim (division chairman post) and Taman Koperasi Polis (branch chairman post) within 30 days.

Two branches – Merlimau Utara and Rumah Pangsa Pekeliling Selatan – will also hold re-elections, within 30 days. The ROS had advised the party to not hold its annual general meeting until the matter was resolved.

- BERNAMA