Sivarraajh quits MIC, cites 'obstacles' from party leadership

 

Former MIC vice-president C Sivarraajh has quit the party - two weeks after he was sacked from its central working committee (CWC).

The senator made the announcement in a letter of resignation tendered to party president SA Vigneswaran, dated today.

In the letter, Sivarraajh announced that he was resigning as the Taman Bukit Kuchai Baru MIC branch chief, and from the party, effective today.

"I reluctantly took this decision because I think it's better for me to quit MIC to enable me to carry out my duties as a member of Dewan Negara and a leader of the Indian community without any obstacles and restrictions, especially from the MIC leadership.

"In my last 20 years with MIC, I gave my all towards the party's struggles and to the Indian community, in my capacity as the youth secretary, youth chief, vice-president, election candidate, MP, and a senator," the former Cameron Highlands MP said in a statement today.

"Unfortunately, several incidents that happened under your leadership have forced me to take this decision," Sivarraajh added, without elaborating.

‘Threat’ to leadership

He opined that his resignation would be in his best interest, as well as that of the party's, as he is seen as a "threat" to the current party leadership line-up.

"To make things worse, I was stopped in many ways from performing my duties to the rakyat and the country. If the scenario continued, I foresee a split in the party.

"Honesty, I do not want to become the cause of the party splitting due to differences in opinions and approaches," he said.

Sivarraajh then concluded his message by wishing his former party all the best in carrying the Indian voice in the country.

"May the contributions, sacrifices, and dreams of past party leaders, such as the late Samy Vellu, will not be put to waste by the individual interests of certain quarters."

Earlier this month, Sivarraajh was sacked from MIC's CWC.

Although Sivarraajh claimed no reason was given for his sacking, a source from the party told Malaysiakini that the removal was over the leader's failure to attend the “Madani Government: Educational Development and Future of Indians” programme held in Shah Alam on June 10.

The programme was organised by MIC's Education Bureau in collaboration with the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit and was attended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. - Mkini