Najib brokers peace deal for strife-torn MIC

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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Lowering API trigger for school closure

The Health Ministry will on Friday push for lowering the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading that automatically triggers the closure of schools.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the cabinet would be asked to review the decision for automatic closure of schools in areas that experienced a reading of more than the hazardous level of 300.

While he did not specify the quantum, Dr Subramaniam said the trigger might be lowered if the Education Ministry agreed to it.

“We will raise this matter in the next cabinet meeting and sit down with all parties to see how we can approach this matter,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.

It was reported that schools in areas that breached the 300 API mark would be automatically closed, while school authorities could also decide to do this if the readings were in the “very unhealthy” range of between 250 and 300.

Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said that parents could decide not to send their children to school if the reading was below 250, provided they informed the school authorities.

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Palanivel off to Jakarta to “put out the fires”

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel who has been flayed online for his belated response to the haze crisis will be off to Jakarta tomorrow where his priority is to "put out the fires".

He said Malaysia wants an immediate solution to the crisis and his main task is to help the Indonesian government extinguish the blaze around Riau in central Sumatra.

"We are prepared to assist Indonesia by providing manpower and equipment. We can help in putting out the blaze and to bring the rain through cloud seeding," he told reporters at Wisma Sumber Asli in Putrajaya this evening.

"The haze problem is a national issue which has affected tourism, business and the economy. When I visited Muar over the weekend the hospital was packed with people suffering from haze-related illnesses."

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Perakians wish for a smooth opening of state assembly

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir taking the oath of office before the Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah at Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar, last month

It is time to work together to build a more prosperous nation, says the Regent of Perak

THE pandemonium that broke out at the state assembly sitting on May 7, 2009 is not something that one can easily forget.

It was the first after Barisan Nasional took power following defections that had cost Pakatan the 11 month-old state government.

For six hours, Pakatan assemblymen were up to their antics, disrupting the assembly sitting. The chaos came to an end only after a royal rebuke of the Pakatan elected representatives.

Come Friday, the state assembly will sit for the first time after the recently-concluded 13th General Election.

In the election, BN was returned to power when it secured 31 of the 59 state seats, enabling the coalition to form the state government.

All 59 assemblymen will be sworn-in during the sitting. A speaker will also be appointed and sworn-in on that day.

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Perak Speaker's post: MIC not threatening anyone, says Palanivel

MIC is not threatening anyone over the Perak Speaker's post but merely asking for what belongs to the party, its president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said.

"We were denied what was promised to us before the general election," he said Monday.

Palanivel said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had also suggested that the Speaker's post be allotted to the MIC.

He was commenting on the statement Sunday by Perak Backbenchers' Club chairman Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib, who criticised him for threatening Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir over the post.

Mohd Khusairi said Palanivel had acted out of line as a Barisan Nasional component president.

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Perak MB rubbishes claims BN failed to submit nomination papers

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir has rubbished claims by the state Opposition that the state Barisan Nasional government had failed to submit nomination papers for the Speaker and deputy Speaker posts before the deadline.

"They (Pakatan Rakyat) are always full of antics every time the state assembly meeting approaches.

"This time, their ploy seems to centre around a claim that we did not submit names for the Speaker post," he said during a press conference here on Sunday.

Dr Zambry called the claims ridiculous as Barisan as the state government would be fully aware of the procedures before the first state assembly meeting, which is slated to begin this June 28.

"One of the most important requirements is to submit the Speaker and deputy Speaker names.

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Zoo Negara to get a world-class facelift

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel (centre) visiting the construction site of the giant panda enclosure at Zoo Negara yesterday

ZOO Negara will be getting a facelift soon to be on a par with other world-class zoos.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said many of the current facilities were unsuitable and needed to be upgraded to attract more visitors.

"The ministry has discussed this with the prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) and he has agreed to the upgrading and improvement of the entire environment at the zoo. A budget is being prepared to be tabled at the cabinet meeting."

He said the facelift would also allow the zoo to start operating at night, like the Singapore and Taiping zoos.

"We will prepare a conducive environment to allow the zoo to operate at night.

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We have done our part on deaths in custody – MIC boss

The leader of Malaysia’s oldest Indian political party today denied it was tame on the issue of Indian deaths in police custody.

It has been doing its job by making “powerful statements” to the Government on this matter, declared Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, president of the Malaysian Indian Congress.

“We are following up on the issue constantly. We have not been ‘tame’ on it,” Palanivel said.

Since 1990, the number of deaths in custody has shown a worrying trend, with the latest casualty being 32-year-old truck driver N. Dharmendran.

When asked by The Malaysian Insider if he would consider roping in P. Waythmoorthy, the chairman of Hindraf, the Hindu Rights Action Force, Palanivel said, “I do not have to work with him in this... I know how to work on it.”

He said he will work only with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on the matter.

The Natural Resources and Environment Minister was speaking at a press conference today after a high-level meeting to plan the party elections for the end of this year.

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Those unhappy with Palanivel's statements should keep quiet: Subramaniam

"The party president was merely exercising his right to speak out and those who are unhappy with his statements should keep quiet. It is up to Zambry to welcome or reject Palanivel's statement," Subramaniam said

A non-governmental organisation (NGO) here has called for Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel to sit down and settle the spat between them.

Persatuan Warga Prihatin Perak chairman V. Subramaniam said nothing would be solved by both parties issuing statements through the media.

He also said individuals or groups that were unhappy with Palanivel's statements should stay out of the matter.

"The party president was merely exercising his right to speak out and those who are unhappy with his statements should keep quiet.

"It is up to Zambry to welcome or reject Palanivel's statement," he said.

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Zambry tells Palanivel: Check your facts first

MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel has jumped the gun over the appointment of Perak state assembly Speaker.

Saying that he had not made any statements on the Speaker post to date, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (pic) expressed his surprise over the Cameron Highland member of parliament's outburst.

"I did not make any statements on the Speaker post as the time is not right to announce it yet.

"I only announced the adviser and special officer posts as I felt there was a need to have Indian representation in the state," he said.

Speaking to reporters here today after attending the state Public Works Department's excellence services award presentation, Zambry said the Speaker post would be announced when the assembly sits.

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MIC to convene emergency CWC meeting on June 18, says Palanivel

MIC has convened an emergency Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting to discuss issues related to branch, division, presidential and national elections, president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said here.

In a statement, he said the meeting has been scheduled for June 18 at the MIC headquarters.

The meeting was called following a request by MIC strategic director S.Vell Paari to secretary-general A.Saktivel to convene the meeting to discuss the issue of party polls.

In a letter to Saktivel, he said he had the support of one-third of the 38 CWC members as required under the party constitution to call for an emergency meeting.

"I have asked for the CWC meeting not with any personal agenda but with an urgent need to save the party from getting entangled in a legal mess," he said.

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Deaths involving Indians in police custody have become serious, says Palanivel

Deaths involving Indians in police custody have become a serious issue in our country said MIC president Datuk Seri G Palanivel.

“We are not aware of the number of Malays, Chinese or others who die in police custody but on an average there are about 12 Indian deaths in police custody annually,” he said in a statement on Monday.

Palanivel said such traumatic deaths upset the Indian community in this country.

“A neutral body should be set up to look after detainees in police custody,” he said when commenting on the death of a 43-year-old inmate at the Tampin police lock-up on Saturday.

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Dr Subra denies plan to challenge Palanivel in party election

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam(wear glasses) has denied making any decision to challenge the top post in the coming party election.

He said Bernama's speculating article last Monday was only the views of the writer without any authentication.

"The writer of the article should have consulted and got my views before writing an article with far-reaching implications.



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Subra set to launch bid to depose Palanivel

After a “contest-free” 20 years or so for the coveted post of president in the MIC, incumbent party chief Datuk Seri G. Palanivel is expected to face a tough challenge in the defence of his position at the party’s presidential polls to be called in about eight to nine months.

The last time the 67-year-old party had a presidential contest was in 1993, when the then MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu was challenged by S. Subramaniam, better known as Jumbo Maniam. Samy Vellu won the contest.

A prominent MIC veteran who spoke on condition of anonymity said the current deputy president, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, seems to be planning to mount a serious challenge for the post.


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'Don't drag me into your war,' says Samy Vellu

Former MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu has cautioned aspiring candidates in the forthcoming MIC elections not to drag him into their political battle.

"I will make my choice of who should lead the party at the right time. Don't drag me into your war," he said in response to a Bernama report.

The report quoted MIC deputy president Datuk Dr S.Subramaniam as saying that Samy Vellu had given him the green light to take on Datuk Seri G.Palanivel for the MIC president's post in the elections scheduled next year.

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Jostling begins for seats in MIC

the largest Indian-based party in the country, has yet to reach a consensus on candidates to be fielded for the general election.

It is learnt the latest meeting to draw up the final list was held on Monday night but insiders revealed the list was about 80 per cent complete.

Former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who had declared his intention to seek another term for the Sungai Siput parliament seat if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was agreeable, has been overlooked altogether.

According to sources, this was because the prime minister would rather have a younger candidate to contest the seat in the once MIC stronghold.

MIC vice-president and current Cameron Highlands MP Datuk S.K. Devamany has been named to contest the seat though many say he is reluctant to accept due to fears that he would be sabotaged by Subang Jaya South 's supporters.

Sources say the best candidate for Sungai Siput would be MIC youth chief T. Mohan, who is touted to be "Samy's man" and would be better received by the branches and divisions there.

 SOTHINATHAN                      PALANIVEL

MOHAN                            DALJIT SINGH

Blow to Samy Vellu as Palanivel rejects MIED post

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.

MIC: Let us see amended Interlok first

The MIC wants to view the amended version of the controversial literature novel “Interlok” before it is reprinted and distributed to the schools.

MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel said that this was the agreement made at the special independent panel set up to look into the issue earlier this year.

In a statement today, Palanivel said that he had spoken to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak after a local English daily on Tuesday reported complaints from teachers who had to paste the corrections manually on nine pages of the book.

Palanivel said he was informed by Najib that the Education Ministry will reprint the novel but stressed that MIC wants to look at the amended version before it is reprinted.

“We do not want another mess,” he said, referring to the flap over the final recommendations from the special independent panel to look into Interlok issue, which had disregarded many of the modifications recommended by the Indian community representatives.

MIC likely to take back anti-Samy Vellu trio

Palanivel wants to become a friend to everyone

MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel is expected to reinstate three party leaders sacked by his predecessor Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu last year, a move seen as distancing the party from the previous leadership.

It is understood that former central working committee (CWC) members Kumar Aaamaan and KP Samy, and former MIC Youth deputy chief V. Mugilan will be re-admitted into the party when the CWW meets here tonight.

Pala to create Indian millionaires

Senator Datuk G. Palanivel is set to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor when he today offered to create millionaires in the Indian community.

Palanivel (picture) took over the MIC leadership after Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu stepped down and ended his 31 years reign as party president.

Samy Vellu’s tenure as president was marred with allegations of embezzlement and mismanagements of party linked companies including venture group, Maika holdings.

The group was the brainchild of Samy Vellu and was set up by the party’s investment arm in 1983 to shore up the corporate equity of the Indian community.

Many from the Indian community began investing in the company with the promise of wealth but were left broken and empty-handed after waiting for more than 30 years.