KUALA LUMPUR: MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam is unaware of the latest developments in the party which involved communication between the party president and Registrar of Societies (ROS).
He said party members were in the dark until Sunday, when president Datuk Seri G Palanivel disclosed a series of communication which he had with ROS.
Dr Subramaniam also said he was shocked by vice-president Datuk M. Saravanan’s revelation that Palanivel had met with the ROS director-general (Mohammad Razin Abdullah), together with Petaling Jaya Selatan MIC division chief V. Subramaniam, and had passed a letter on behalf of MIC on Dec 24.
“I have no indication of the contents of the letter. I also don’t have any knowledge of the fact that the ROS had replied on the (Dec) 31st to the issues raised in the letter of (Dec) 24th.
“I am also not aware that the MIC had responded to that letter on the (Jan) 2nd, requesting for the extended time,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
Dr Subramaniam said since a meeting was held on Dec 18 to discuss the contents of the ROS letter which directed the MIC to hold a re-election for, among others, all vice-presidents and Central Working Committee members, he had urged Palanivel to speed up forming a special committee to resolve the issue.
But Palanivel had kept delaying the matter, he claimed.
“I have been asked many questions by party members since yesterday, after the meeting with the ROS was highlighted.
“Frankly, I don’t have the answers to these and many other questions directed at me. Only the president knows the answers,” he added.
He said among the questions asked by party members were, in what capacity did V Subramaniam follow the president to the meeting, and why other office-bearers were not included in the team which went to meet the ROS.
On Monday, Saravanan had urged Palanivel to come forth to solve the party crisis.
Meanwhile, in a joint statement, Klang MIC division chief Datuk S Vigneswaran, former party treasurer-general Datuk Jaspal Singh and former Youth chief Datuk T. Mohan urged Palanivel to accept ROS’ investigations that there were irregularities in the 2013 party election. They said the president should call for re-election of the posts involved.
“The ROS is an independent statutory body that governs all societies in Malaysia. It’s a body that polices the wrong-doing of a society.
“Rather than establish a panel to investigate what caused the discrepancies in the election, Palanivel chooses to blame us as minorities who are dissatisfied and caused the problem with ROS. Is Palanivel sending a message that ROS, a statutory body of the Malaysian government, is not credible?” asked Mohan.
On Dec 5, ROS ordered MIC to hold a re-election for its three vice-president posts and 23 CWC seats within 90 days, following complaints on abuse of power and conduct which violated the party constitution and Societies Act.
ROS had also asked the party to hold fresh elections in eight divisions, namely Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor, Subang, Bandar Baru Kulim, Taiping, Tambun, Sepang and Jasin within 60 days.
It also ordered fresh polls to be held within 30 days for the Batu Kawan division deputy chairman, Kota Raja division chairman, Tanjung Malim division chairman and Taman Koperasi Polis branch chairman posts.
Two branches, Merlimau Utara and Rumah Pangsa Pekeliling Selatan, were also ordered to hold fresh polls within 30 days.
ROS had also advised the party not to hold its annual general meeting until the matter had been resolved. — Bernama