In a shock move today, MIC president Senator Datuk G. Palanivel rejected his reappointment as a trustee in the Maju Institute for Education Development (MIED) board, sources say.
The Malaysian Insider understands Palanivel, a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, relayed his decision to the MIED board that met this morning, about four hours before the party’s education wing’s scheduled annual general meeting this afternoon.
Palanivel (picture) was also not present at the board meeting.
also understands the decision is purportedly a political move as the MIC president wants to distance himself from any matter involving MIED in the near future.
“He told the board of trustees this morning and the decision has been accepted,” a party leader who attended the meeting said. The meeting was chaired by Palanivel’s predecessor Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, MIED’s chairman since it was founded in 1984.
In an SMS to The Malaysian Insider this evening, Palanivel said he wanted to concentrate on his responsibilities as minister and MIC president.
“The MIED board meetings are very time consuming. My job is to provide leadership to the party and the community. I think I will concentrate on this matter,” he reasoned.
Apart from Palanivel, veteran MIC leader Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar also rejected his reappointment and reportedly informed Samy Vellu of his decision two weeks ago.
“But Palanivel’s decision was truly shocking, many did not expect it.
“It is also a blow to Samy Vellu’s leadership in MIED,” said the party source.
The MIED AGM, scheduled for 2.30pm, was expected to appoint 10 trustees, including Palanivel and Nijhar.
The AGM will also decide on a motion stating the approval of MIC’s central working committee must be sought in order to increase membership on the MIED board.
The matter erupted into controversy earlier this year when Samy Vellu reportedly wanted to increase MIED’s membership by 10 but was stopped following a court injunction.
Today’s AGM is the first since Samy Vellu relinquished his MIC presidency to Palanivel.
