MIC elections will go on, says Palanivel

MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel says the party is geared for new party elections despite an ongoing court case. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 9, 2015.

MIC re-elections will go on, regardless of the outcome of a judicial review against the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to quash its order for fresh polls, MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel reportedly said.

According to media reports, Palanivel said he had discussed the matter with both the prime minister and the deputy prime minister.

"We are geared for the party elections, even if the court decides in our favour... the polls will go on," Palanivel was quoted as saying by English-language daily theSun.

He told a press conference after meeting Perak MIC branch leaders and members yesterday that the decision from the proceedings would not interfere with the party elections.

Palanivel said he was prepared for the re-elections, adding that he had the support of party members in Penang, Malacca, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah and Perlis.

“I have the support of 2,292 division and branch chiefs,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.

MIC has been in turmoil since its 2013 elections for certain office-bearers and central committee positions were disputed, leading to RoS instructing the party to hold fresh polls or face possible de-registration.

Last Monday, Palanivel filed a judicial review against the RoS's order for MIC to hold fresh elections for several party posts.

It is the second legal attempt to challenge the RoS, after MIC central working committee (CWC) member K. Ramalingam submitted an application for a judicial review against the action and statements made by RoS and its director-general on February 23.

In a separate event, party deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam reportedly said Palanivel was responsible for the entire turmoil as he was the elections committee chairman during the 2013 party elections.

He expressed concern that MIC would face de-registration if it delayed holding the fresh polls, adding that the party could proceed with the elections unless the court ordered otherwise.

"If they don't then we will proceed," he was quoted as saying by theSun after attending a luncheon with Penang MIC leaders.

Subramaniam said RoS recognised the party’s CWC of 2009 and had said that it should hold the elections.

"So, we will.”

- TMI