MIC crisis: I accept RoS decision – PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he accepts the decision made by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) concerning the leadership crisis in MIC.

"RoS's decision has been upheld by the High Court. So I have no choice but to accept whatever conclusion is taken by RoS," Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Umno president, told a press conference after chairing an Umno Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato Onn here yesterday.

RoS director-general Datuk Mohammad Razin Abdullah in a letter dated Thursday (June 25) to the secretary-general of the BN component party's Interim Central Working Committe for 2009, had stated that MIC president Datuk Seri G Palanivel had ceased to be a member of MIC ipso facto and that MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam would take over Palanivel's duties as acting president.

The contents of the letter was made available to the media by Dr Subramaniam in a statement that day.

Commenting further, Najib said he had taken note of RoS's letter to the MIC.

"Today I saw a letter from RoS. Based on the letter, I will make a stand later," he said.

Asked about the status of Palanivel, who is also Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Najib said the matter would be decided later.

"I do not want to make any decisions in haste, then I will be accused of interfering with MIC's affairs.

"I want MIC to determine the leadership of their own party, only then I can make a decision," he added.

The MIC crisis erupted following differences in opinion between Palanivel and Dr Subramaniam after the ROS issued a notice last Dec 5 directing the party to hold fresh elections for the three vicepresidential and 23 CWC posts.

The ROS had nullified the elections held in November 2013 following complaints of irregularities.

Palanivel and four other MIC leaders had sought an interim stay of the RoS's decision at the High Cout upheld it but were unsuccessful. - Bernama