MIC secretary-general S Murugessan has become the second major party figure in as many days to have expressed dissatisfaction with the unilateral expulsion of four party leaders by party president S Samy Vellu.

Murugessan said he has to answer to his conscience and to the MIC delegates who voted for him and not just to one person, in reference to Samy Vellu.

"Summary dismissal is not the first option but should be the last option... The members should be given a chance to defend themselves at the disciplinary committee," he said, during a press conference in Petaling Jaya.

murugesan gas pc 280510 Murugessan (right) was referring to the expulsion of two Central Working Committee members KP Samy and G Kumar Amaan, along with MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan and Petaling Jaya division veteran V Subramaniam.

All four were sacked by Samy Vellu without a disciplinary hearing. 

His criticisms against the dismissals follows similar remarks from CWC member P Palaniappan yesterday.

Both Murugessan and Palaniappan made the symbolic move of holding their press conferences either before or after similar events by Gerakan Anti-Samy (GAS) movement at the same venue.

However, both figures did not pledge allegiance to GAS.

Murugessan added that he is not arguing Samy Vellu's tenure nor the merit in asking for his resignation.

"What I am against the use of Presidential Powers to expel a member. That is not what Article 61.2 of the Constitution was intended for," he said.

Murugessan said that Samy Vellu himself had set the precedent 40 years ago by calling for the resignation of then MIC president VT Sambanthan.

"History is repeating itself or you can call it karma ," he said, adding that joining the chorus of discontent is his contribution towards safeguarding MIC's democratic principles.

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

While he admitted that many MIC leaders were unhappy with the sacking of the four CWC members, Murugessan could not say if they will step forward to protest.

Mugilan: Slap to my detractors

gas pc mic 270510 mugilan At a press conference immediately after, Mugilan (left) urged other CWC members to follow suit, "if they are brave".

He also said that not standing behind the ousted four will mean the end of their political career, as delegates will not vote them in again in 2012 to punish their silence today.

And KP Samy added that the CWC members had 24 hours to convene an emergency meeting "if they are concerned about (GAS's mass gathering due on Sunday)".

The gathering, which was originally meant to be held at Umno-owned Putra World Trade Centre has been moved to the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Sungai Besi.

According to Mugilan, Murugessan's statement was a "slap to (his) detractors" and that he is confident that 15,000 MIC members will be present on Sunday.

He also called on Samy Vellu to step down within the next seven days to honour the challenge he made to his former deputy S Subramaniam earlier this week.

"He said Subramaniam should resign with him, and Subramaniam has relinqushed his position as branch head of Seputeh, so Samy Vellu should be a gentleman," he said.

He also waved away the counter movement by MIC Youth, Gerakan Anti-Mugilan (GAM), saying: "Why are they being copycats?"

Saddened by the crisis

Meanwhile MIC vice-president SK Devamany said he was very disturbed by the current developments in the party and hoped all members could respect the transition period.

"I appeal to all concerned who are dissatisfied with the leadership to follow procedures and guidelines as stipulated in the party constitution."

Devamany, who is deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, urged all discontent members to resolve the issues amicably at the CWC.

"I am saddened by the crisis. This is an MIC family matter. It can be solved. The party and its vision must last forever and we must emerge stronger to represent the community," he said.

"I believe that unconstitutional action will lead to irreparable damages. It will result in factionalism in the party in the future."

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