Palanivel confirmed that the president and deputy president posts would be unopposed. (left).
Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said he will abide by the PM's request. (right)
There will be no contest for the top two MIC posts after the contenders agreed to a peace deal which party sources claim was brokered by Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself.
The source revealed that Najib had met party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and vice-presidents Datuk M. Saravanan and Datuk S.K. Devamany at his residence in Putrajaya on Sunday.
Najib was said to have advised them to concentrate on strengthening the party and avoid a contest which could result in “open warfare” in the party.
The source said the posts of party president and deputy president would not be contested this year.
The presidential election is scheduled for September 22 and the election for other national office bearers — deputy president, three vice-presidents and 23 Central Working Committee members — is to be in November.
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Speaking after the Malaysian Mining and Energy Investment forum yesterday, Palanivel confirmed that the president and deputy president posts would be unopposed.
He said Dr Subramaniam would not stand against him for the president’s post, quelling earlier speculation that he (Subramaniam) would challenge him.
The source said Palanivel would not serve out the full term as president and would step down in 2016. And, only the vice-presidents and central working committee members posts would be contested in November.
The source said Dr Subramaniam had received enough nominations to contest for the top post but will abide by
Najib’s request.
“Now he will need to explain his decision to those who supported him (to challenge for the top post),” he said.
To contest for the president’s post, a candidate needs to get 50 nominations. Each nomination must be proposed by one branch chairman and seconded by five other branch chairmen.
Devamany also agreed party unity should come before anything else.
“The party needs to move forward and strengthen itself to help the Indian community. Negotiations were held and it was decided the leaders need to come together to get the party moving and win back the support of the community.
“Our priority now would be the socio-economic development of the community above everything else,” Devamany said.
