PETALING JAYA, MAY 23- The MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) will meet this Friday to fix the date for party polls, including the all-important presidential election.
This was disclosed today by a former secretary-general of the party, G Vadiveloo.
MIC has missed the constitutional deadline for the election. It was supposed to have been held by late last year, but the CWC had earlier decided to delay it to allow the party to concentrate on preparing for the 13th general election. It did not specify a new date.
The issue has become contentious, with some groups in the party claiming that the postponement was irregular because the CWC made its decision without seeking the approval of members through an emergency general meeting.
According to an insider who claimed to be well versed in such matters, the MIC constitution does not give the CWC unilateral power to postpone the polls.
“It’s not in the constitution,” he said. “The CWC cannot rely on a by-law to override the constitution, which states that polls must be held every three years unless it obtains a mandate from members at an EGM.
“The party members are like members of a parliament. The CWC is like a ministerial cabinet. The cabinet cannot decide to extend its term without amending the constitution.”
There is a call to defer the election to next year and this is spearheaded by supporters of party chief G Palanivel.
Critics point out that Palanivel is still only the party’s acting president, having taken over the job when S Samy Vellu resigned in 2010.
Party insiders have disclosed that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had put on hold all government appointments reserved for MIC leaders with the exception of cabinet positions and exco assignments in Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor.
“The PM’s office has yet to issue senatorial appointment letters,” said a source. “A few other appointments are also on hold.
“The PM’s office has been told to wait for the party elections to conclude before appointing anyone to government positions. Only leaders who win positions in the party will be given these appointments.
“This was not communicated to Najib by Palanivel, but by a strong leader who told the PM of the situation in the party.”
Vadiveloo meanwhile said the party must hold the election as soon as possible to avoid problems with the Registrar of Societies.
“The whole of MIC must hold elections this year,” he said. “The party needs to clarify to the Registrar of Societies if it does not. But I feel polls should be held by end of the year.”
Radical changes needed
Another former secretary-general, KS Nijhar (photo), disagreed with this view.
“The central working committee needs to first finalise the electorate, meaning the branch and division chairmen,” he said.
“Only after we get the electorate list can we hold elections for top party office bearers, including the presidency.
“Holding the branch and divisional elections would require some time.”
The MIC presidential election is normally held three months before the election of other top office bearers. The party usually concludes its branch and divisional elections before calling for the presidential election.
Meanwhile, a CWC member has urged party leaders to change their style of leadership to remain relevant.
Madhu Marimuthu said a failure to make “radical changes” would spell the beginning of MIC’s demise.
“The people have sent a signal,” he said in reference to the party’s poor performance in the last two general elections.
“It is up to the MIC to make amends and bounce back as a strong and vibrant party.”
He noted that the party had attempted to rebrand itself after the 2008 general election and that Palanivel had been busy with various activities aimed at regaining popular support.
“But has all this changed the party and will MIC remain relevant when the next general election comes?” he asked.
