FRESH ELECTIONS the only way out for MIC?

KUALA LUMPUR - The best way for MIC to get out of its current crisis is to comply with the directive of the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to hold fresh elections.

Professor Datuk Dr Zainal Kling, political analyst from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), said nothing is complicated in resolving MIC's crisis if the warring factions agree to hold fresh polls.

"MIC should be aware that they can be deregistered anytime as RoS has the authority to do so since the directives to conduct branch elections has expired.

"The factions should realise the only way out is to agree to a fresh start and move on," Zainal toldtheSun.

He also suggested that the move by party chief Datuk Seri G. Palanivel to appeal the High Court decision might not work in his favour.

"I personally don't think the Appeal court would support Palanivel and the fact that he dismissed most of the high-profile MIC members, including deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, is a clear indication Palanivel has lost support," he said.

Political analyst Dr Sivamurugan Pandian from University Science Malaysia (USM) shared similar sentiments about Palanivel's move to appeal the High Court decision.

"That is his right to appeal but the only benefit Palanivel and his camp will gain is to prolong the stay order, which means the party will function as caretaker and can't function at full capacity," he said

Meanwhile, in a press conference at MIC headquarters today, former MIC secretary-general Tan Sri G. Vadiveloo said it is legal to conduct a meeting when one-third of the Central Working Committee (CWC) members request for one.

Vadiveloo added Palanivel is the only president in MIC history who failed to hold any of the branch or divisional elections in the three years he was in charge (from Sept 9, 2009 to Sept 11, 2012).

"The secretary-general (A. Sakthivel) called for the last CWC meeting at the request of one-third of CWC members. So the meeting was legal," he said. - Sundaily