Deja vu in PWTC as thousands gather in support for Subramaniam

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam (far right) seen at a gathering held at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2015.

Thousands of men in white shirts and women in glittering saris today packed the Dewan Merdeka Hall, Putra World Centre (PWTC), in anticipation of the "special gathering" organised by MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Subramaniam and his people.

The scene was almost identical to yesterday, where thousands assembled at the same hall in Kuala Lumpur for rival Datuk Seri G. Palanivel's "solidarity gathering".

But yesterday's posters proclaiming support for Palanivel now bore Subramaniam's name, while the giant screen at the front played a short video clip mocking Palanivel's claim that 10,000 people turned up yesterday.

The hall erupted into cheers and applause when the emcee announced the presence of "acting president Datuk Seri S Subramaniam", while former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's surprise appearance similarly elicited cries of excitement.

On the stage, where Palanivel's supporters stood yesterday, sat men aligned with Subramaniam, including former MIC vice president Datuk S. Saravanan, P. Kamalanathan, Perak Speaker Datuk Seri S.K. Devamany and the rest of the central working committee.

And in contrast to yesterday's gathering, today saw all the MIC wings present in their official capacity.

In his speech, Saravanan took a dig at Palanivel's statement yesterday that Prime Minister Datuk Najib Razak was responsible for MIC's current crisis.

"I repeat the same thing: The prime minister is responsible. But that's because he didn't sack Palanivel.

"If he had sacked Palanivel from Cabinet early on, the crisis would not have dragged out like this," quipped Saravanan in Tamil, to cheers and laughter from the hall.

But Saravanan said Najib was too kind-hearted to sack Palanivel, and that was why the prime minister was now seeking an explanation rather than dismissing him outright.

A total of 30 MIC delegates from across the country today spent three minutes each debating over two resolutions before 6,000 MIC members, including 2,748 branch chairmen, 95 division chairmen, 45 division coordinators.

The first,  that they would abide by the Registrar of Societies’ (RoS) directive to conduct re-elections and uphold the court's finding that Palanivel and four others had filed the suit against RoS in their personal capacity.

And second, that Article 91 of the MIC constitution states no party matters can be taken to court, and anyone who did so would cease to be a party member.

In his speech, MIC disciplinary committee chairman Tan Sri Dr K. S. Nijhar called Palanivel a "cancer" and a man with a "mental illness".

"The action of a few individuals these past few months has brought disgrace upon us. Why should we suffer from the stupidity and mental illness of one person?" he asked.

"We must get rid of the one cancer that is gradually building in MIC. If we don't, our families will suffer. Because he is on a warpath against the government.

"Are you going to allow him to represent you and act in a manner so stupid? Then vote against him!" said Nijhar, to roars of approval from the audience.

Kota Melaka division chairman P. Pannirselvam said the party needed Subramaniam to lead it out of the crisis and strengthen it before the next general election.

"The same way a doctor is needed to heal a patient, MIC as the patient needs a specialist doctor like Subramaniam to return it to its original strength," he said.

"We must strengthen the party so that it is strong once more, even if it means several of us are sacrificed."

Lumut division chief Datuk V. Elango had the hall in stitches when he quipped that they had all been fooled by Samy.

"We have been cheated by Samy Vellu. He was the one who picked this guy as his successor and asked us to support him," Elango joked, prompting laughter from the audience and the former party president.

MIC Youth chief C. Sivarraajh urged the prime minister to recognise today's gathering and requested that he give them the mandate to run the party.

"This is a clear message to the prime minister that this is MIC. Please listen to us. We will assure you we will bring the party back to its former glory," he said.

The MIC saga erupted following differences in opinion between Palanivel and Subramaniam after the RoS issued a notice last December 5 directing the party to hold fresh elections for the three vice-presidential and 23 CWC posts.

The RoS had nullified the elections held in November 2013 following complaints of irregularities and ordered fresh polls to be held.

Palanivel took his case to the High Court but last Monday his two judicial review applications to quash the directive of the RoS to hold new elections were dismissed.

The court upheld the registrar’s decision for the party to hold re-elections at all levels (branches and divisions), including the president’s post.

On Monday, Palanivel issued a press statement announcing the 12-month suspensions of Subramaniam and 13 others for holding a central working committee (CWC) meeting the next day, which he said was illegal.

The drama heightened when Subramaniam terminated Palanivel's membership in that CWC meeting, which also appointed him the acting president to replace the latter.