What the changes in MIC could indicate

MIC president G Palanivel’s shock re-appointment of S Murugesan as party secretary-general has not only surprised political observers but also raised eyebrows among party insiders.

His appointment has come barely a month after he was made the party’s information chief, replacing Hulu Selangor member of parliament P Kamalanathan.

A party source said Murugesan’s (left) appointment as party information chief had already raised eyebrows among former party president S Samy Vellu’s supporters.

“Now, he has been elevated to party secretary-general, replacing someone known to be close to Samy Vellu,” he said.

Murugesan was sacked by Samy Vellu last year for questioning the latter’s decision to expel former Youth deputy chief V Mugilan, and central working committee (CWC) members G Kumar Aamaan and KP Samy.

And now, many are wondering why Palanivel brought back Murugesan who lost the contest for the Subang parliamentary seat in the 2008 general election.
    
Palanivel, who took over the helm of the party two months ago, said in a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur today that the party’s ultimate concern should be the people.

He also said the immediate past secretary-general, T Rajagopalu, had been named Negri Sembilan MIC chief, replacing V Mogan who took over as information chief.

A division chairman who declined to be identified said he was surprised by the speed of the changes.

“I am worried it may place him (Palanivel) on a collision course with Samy Vellu’s supporters, which could create friction within the party,” he said.

Indication of a different style of leadership

However, Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Dr Sivamurugan Pandian believed that Palanivel’s drastic move indicated a different style of leadership aimed at bringing back the Indian support to the Barisan Nasional as soon as possible.

“He has to show that he is getting back the Indian support. It’s a new kind of leadership, that is what Palanivel is trying to prove. I don’t think he is going against Samy, but more on the survival of the party and BN,” he said.
    
Dr Sivamurugan said Palanivel’s action was designed to get those who are loyal to party struggles rather than personality, to be in the mainstream of the party leadership and in order to do so, he needed to restructure the party leadership.

“What he wants to do is to restructure the party. He needs those he can work with. Whatever move he is making, people are watching,” he said, adding that it was also to win back those who supported the opposition.

Explaining further, he said currently, there were 14 Indian leaders who were either holding posts in government or elected representatives - DAP (seven), MIC (four), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (two) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (one) and therefore, MIC must show that it is the most reliable and acceptable Indian-based party.

“Factions are unavoidable. It’s a challenge for Palanivel to pacify, but these leaders have to accept changes when the leadership is changed. Along the line, he has to face challenges in the party. To what extent, it depends on him,” he said.

Therefore, he said, Palanivel had to play “a right balancing game” or “balanced politics” as while moving forward, he needed to take care of members loyal to certain personalities, rather than the party.
    
Apart from the leadership change, some CWC members also told Bernama that Palanivel had informed the meeting yesterday that senators from the party would serve their term without any extension.

Party has six senators

MIC has six senators, including Palanivel who was appointed last year before he was made deputy minister by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Others are Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T Murugiah (right), Dalgit Singh Dalliwal, MIC Puteri chief J Usha Nandhini, Tapah MIC division chief S Malasingham and Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur MIC deputy chairman Chandrasekhar Suppiah.

Murugiah, a senator under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) before he was sacked in July last year, joined MIC last year and his senatorship expires on April 18 this year.

Therefore, a party insider pointed out it would be interesting to see whether Murugiah will get another term, following Palanivel’s statement or who will be selected to replace him or others finishing their terms.

“It will be interesting to see how and who Palanivel will nominate as replacement. If he cuts too many of Samy’s supporters, it can create another issue, but if he does not, he will not be able to move forward effectively,” said the insider.

- Bernama