Kuala Lumpur, June 24 – Since yesterday MIC circles are abuzz with speculations as to what could have transpired in the meeting yesterday between Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Dato Seri G.Palanivel, who still claims to be the President of MIC.
MIC sources said that Palanivel was summoned to Najib’s office in Putra Jaya and the meeting took place at 9 am yesterday. So far there has been no official statement from either of them about the meeting.
On Sunday (June 21) Najib had tweeted to say Palanivel would be summoned to his office to clarify his (Palanivel’s) statement that the PM is interfering in MIC’s affairs.
Sources close to Palanivel revealed that the President (or former President) is tight-lipped about the outcome of the meeting. Some say that the PM raised the issue of Palanivel having lost his membership in the party due to the interpretation of Section 91 of MIC Constitution.
Another source claimed that Palanivel has given a new proposal to the PM to solve the MIC crisis which includes recognizing the 2009 CWC and withdrawing court cases filed by him.
Palanivel and his group have already filed an application for a stay order of the KL High Court Judgment granted on June 15. The Stay order application is scheduled for hearing on July 10th.
Branch elections to proceed
Meanwhile, MIC Deputy President (or Acting President) Dr Subramaniam has announced that the Branch elections are scheduled to start on July 10th onwards. He also announced yesterday that the RoS has given the nod to carry out party elections and had even granted an extension of time until October this year to complete the election process.
One source close to Palanivel revealed that Palanivel handed over his new proposals to Najib at the Cabinet meeting held today.
However, Dr Subra confirmed yesterday that the decision of the Special Assembly of MIC Branch Chairmen that took place on June 21 is final – that Palanivel and four others have lost their membership in MIC due to the interpretation of Sect 91 of the MIC Constitution. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the Judgment granted on June 15th clearly spells that Palanivel and others have filed their cases as individuals without any endorsement from the CWC.
Sources close to Dr Subra said he is very clear and firm that Palanivel should step down to pave way for the party to move on and that is also the decision of 2,758-odd branch chairmen who gathered on June 21 to pass resolutions to that effect. These branch chairmen form about 70% of the party’s total branches. In addition about 95 division chairmen (out of 150-odd MIC divisions) have also voiced their support for Dr Subra’s leadership.
“MIC has suffered colossal damage under the leadership of Palanivel, and having proved that they enjoy 70% of the support in the party Dr Subra’s camp is not going to turn-back anymore to accept the leadership of Palanivel. They are also unlikely to accept any peace-formula that would see the return of Palanivel as President again – even if it comes from the PM himself!” a source close to Dr Subra reiterated.
