BN not interested in interfering in MIC affairs - Tengku Adnan

Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor today said the coalition is not interested in meddling in the internal affairs of MIC.

Explaining further, he said, the proposal to set up a secretariat was just a suggestion to help the party, adding that it was up to the MIC whether or not to accept the proposal.

However, he said, if the party decides not to accept BN’s proposal, it must abide by the Registar of Societies (RoS) orders for a re-election.

He also suggested for MIC to no longer issue media statement regarding its internal conflict and urged them to solve the matter within the party.

“As the BN secretary-general we want all our component parties to abide by the rules. So, don’t think that we want to take over MIC. We don’t have that intention,” he said at a press conference today.

Tengku Adnan said the proposed secretariat would help MIC in its re-election process and would adhere to the party’s constitution.

However, party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel who snubbed the idea said the proposal was ‘very disturbing’ and vowed not to let a third party to interfere in party affairs.

Palanivel said although MIC is a BN component party, it is a political party in its own rights and government by its constitution.

“Barisan Nasional should respect the Constitution of MIC and not invade into the administration of MIC as proposed,” he said adding that BN has no jurisdiction whatsoever to take over the administration or conduct MIC elections.

Former MIC president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had also rejected the proposal and said that it was an embarrassment to the party.

He said blamed Palanivel and his 'inefficiency' for such proposal.

Last Dec 5, the RoS had directed MIC to hold re-elections for three vice-president and 23 CWC posts within 90 days, following irregularities in the elections held in 2013.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had announced that the MIC would hold re-elections at all levels from April to July to resolve the crisis, and prevent it from being de-registered.