Back off, Subra tells BN parties
MIC chief warns component members against interfering in internal affairs
PETALING JAYA: MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam has told Barisan Nasional component parties not to get involved in the party’s internal problems.
Referring to the attendance of some Barisan component party leaders at the Ponggal celebration hosted by former MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel last week, Dr Subramaniam said such actions would only make matters worse.
“Yes, there is still some internal problems in MIC but we are working to overcoming them.
“Our stand is never to interfere in the affairs of our component parties, so it is only fair to expect them to do the same with us,” he said after the closing ceremony of the inaugural Indian Women Entrepreneurs Gathering here yesterday.
Asked if he would take up the matter with Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Dr Subramaniam said he hoped there would be no need to do so.
“As the chairman, the Prime Minister is better informed than I am about the rules and regulations governing the coalition.
“I don’t have to tell him about this issue, I’m confident that he will do what needs to be done,” he added.
Among those who attended the Ponggal festival hosted by Palanivel last week were MyPPP president Tan Sri M. Kayveas, IPF president Datuk M. Sambanthan, Makkal Sakthi president Datuk RS Thanenthiran, and Indian Chamber of Commerce (MAICCI) president Tan Sri Kenneth Eswaran.
All of them expressed support for Palanivel.
Commenting on a case filed by Palanivel against him, Dr Subramaniam said he and the party would see him in court.
“I am confident that the Registrar of Societies statements are based on facts. We will fight to the very end,” he added.
In a separate statement, MIC Youth chief C. Sivarraajh has asked Kayveas and Eswaran to “butt out” of the internal affairs of the party.
“They have no business to interfere in the affairs of MIC.
“We give this strong warning and they start to question Dr Subramaniam and MIC because Najib had asked Dr Subramaniam to unite the Indian community and take charge.
“They should not use the back door and exploit former president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel for their nefarious schemes,” he said.
Sivarraajh also claimed that former MIC treasurer-general Datuk R. Ramanan had only joined hands with Kayveas and Eswaran after failing to secure a position in the party.
“Ramanan should resolve his baggage first before demanding any position or condemn the MIC leadership,” he added.
Sivarraajh said Dr Subramaniam has been legally and validly elected as MIC president and the election was recognised by the highest court, the Registrar of Societies and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“Above all he was elected without contest by the rank and file of the MIC in an open and fair manner,” he said.