Stand up and be Counted

PRESS STATEMENT

First of all I would like to thank all members of the Media for attending this P.C. I know you have been kept busy by MIC for the last two weeks by MIC related PCs.


I would like to thank DSSV for appointing me to the post of Secretary General of the party. It is the highest appointed post. I am mindful of the heavy responsibilities of the post. It requires that I shall conduct the business of the Congress in accordance with the Constitution and shall carry out the instructions of the President and the Central Working Committee.


However I owe a heavier responsibility and loyalty to MIC over and above any one individual, even if that individual me or the President of the party.


For the record, I am also an elected CWC member. It is the very foundation upon which I have been appointed as the Secretary General of the party. Therefore, I am answerable to the delegates, the branch chairmen and to my fellow MIC members. They have voted me into the CWC.


I cant’s forsake my own conscience and the interest of the party to safeguard my own position in the party.


I am a great admirer of Martin Luther King Jr. In fact I have used his quotes on all my party campaigns and on my blog. This quote resonates with me:


“I have always felt that ultimately along the way of life and individual must stand up and be counted and be willing to face the consequences whatever they are”.


I believe that the time has come.


I am not here to argue about the tenure of the current President nor the merit in the argument asking him to step down.


What I am against is the use of the Presidential Powers to expel a member; and even that elected CWC members for asking him to step down earlier than his announced date. That is not what Article 61.2 of the Constitution was intended for.



Please remember, it was this current president who set the precedent some 40 years ago by publicly asking the then President Tun VT Sambanthan to step down. History is repeating itself or you can call it “Karma”.



MIC is democratic party with a system of check and balance. Delegates have voted in CWC members for a reason.


Summarily expelling members by use of presidential powers will not solve the problem within the party. If anyone disagrees with the view of another member, he should offer counter arguments, not summarily expel him.


If it is considered that his actions are detrimental to the interest of the party, please refer him to the disciplinary committee and give him the right to defend himself.


The Presidential Powers of expulsion should be used as a last resort, not as the first option.



The Indian Community is watching us. The nation is watching us. We are sending wrong signals to Indian youths who might be interested in joining the party. How are we to unite the Indian Community with its diverse views if we don’t respect dissenting opinion?


Please remember, we must go back to the voters who are the ultimate deciders of our fate.


I still have great faith in MIC and its ability to lead the Indian Community. I love this party. It is the responsibility of each member to make it strong and safeguard its democratic principles. This is my contribution towards that cause.


I trust God and the people are with me on this.


I have stood up and am willing to face the consequences, whatever they are.


Thank you.



S.Murugessan
MIC

Lets Move Forward
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Sibu - Congratulations DAP

Press Statement

I congratulate DAP on its Sibu By-election victory. I am disappointed that BN lost. However, in keeping with BN’s core principle, we respect and abide by the people’s decision.

BN must comb through the result and find out what prompted the swing of 2000 votes. If National issues are the cause, then we must address those issues thoroughly. We must get to the root of what affected people’s confidence in our stronghold. As the dust settles, I am sure the reasons will become clearer. In the meantime, I urge the PM to continue with his agenda for renewal and action.

As a party worker who has toiled in numerous by-elections, I understand the disappointments. However it’s important to move forward and not lose sight of our aspirations. Leadership with integrity will ultimately lead us to victory in PRU 13.

S.Murugessan

May 13 Gertak

PRESS STATEMENT

MIC strongly condemns the May 13 gathering scheduled to be held in Terengganu by Gerakan Kebangkitan Rakyat (Gertak). We see no meaningful benefit to be derived from such a gathering. In fact it will set back the government’s effort in fostering national unity. It will create tension as others might want to organize similar race based gatherings on May 13 in future.

Whilst we respect freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly, a gathering of this nature will set our country back to the 1960s.

May 13 is a bitter chapter in Malaysian history. We have put it behind us and moved forward. Y.A.B Dato Seri Najib’s 1 Malaysia concept and N.E.M are good examples of the way forward for Malaysians.

If the organizers’ main aim is unity, then it should include NGOs from all races. Having a gathering comprising of only one race in the shadows of May 13 will only polarize race relations in Malaysia .

We are disappointed with Institut Integriti Malaysia (IIM), if it is true that they are co-organizers of this gathering. IIM should focus on instilling integrity and unity amongst all races, not any particular race.

In order to move forward, all parties, political or non-political, must champion rights of all Malaysians and work towards true unity under the concept of 1 Malaysia .

S.Murugessan

Secretary General

M.I.C.