When force meets resistance, the outcome is a no-brainer. And so it was when the MIC convened an inquiry into presidential hopeful M Muthupalaniappan’s statements that were purportedly detrimental to the party leadership.

The panel wrapped up its probe in just 30 minutes today, by 11am, at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Its speed was aided in part by Muthupalaniappan’s admitted refusal to co-operate because his objections “were not entertained”.

m muthupalaniappan mic disciplinary inquiry 200109 g vadiveloo Disciplinary committee chairperson G Vadiveloo ( right) told reporters that the panel’s findings will be submitted to the Central Working Committee (CWC) for deliberation.

He denied that the disciplinary committee had acted on its own accord in the matter or that the inquiry was called on the CWC’s orders, as alleged.

“We acted on a complaint that we received, that’s all,” said Vadiveloo.

MIC had issued a show-cause letter to Muthupalaniappan on Dec 23 over ‘baseless’ statements against president S Samy Vellu and for “acting in a manner detrimental to the interest of MIC”.

This was in reference to Muthupalaniappan’s statements published in Tamil daily Makkal Osai as well as in Malaysiakini .

Met after the inquiry, Muthupalaniappan, 66, expressed dissatisfaction with the committee’s refusal to give him more time to produce his defence and to respond to his prior objections.

The Seremban division chief had earlier stated that Vadiveloo should not be a member of the inquiry panel because he was the “main witness” to issues raised. Muthupalaniappan had instead wanted an independent committee to investigate the complaint.

Yesterday, a statutory declaration by former party member S Sargunaselvam claimed that Vadiveloo had directed that branches be created overnight during party elections in 1994 to ensure that Muthupalaniappan would not retain his post.

Claim dismissed

A second point of contention was that the panel had not provided Muthupalaniappan with a copy of the ‘offending’ articles from which excerpts were quoted and used as grounds for the inquiry.

m muthupalaniappan mic disciplinary inquiry 200109 01 “Without the copy of the articles... I cannot say whether the said alleged statements are made by myself or otherwise,” he said.

“But he (Vadiveloo) said he was not duty-bound to provide the documents and that if I had any witnesses I should have brought them with me today.”

Muthupalaniappan (left) added that Vadiveloo said the inquiry had to be concluded today and that the proceedings could not be prolonged to accommodate witnesses.

“They are in hurry to stop me from filing my nomination (to contest the presidency) ... because one must be the chairperson of a division to contest (the post),” he claimed.

Vadiveloo, when asked to comment on this, said: “As far as the disciplinary committee is concerned the election is irrelevant. Whatever he (Muthupalaniappan) says is not the gospel truth.”

MIC branch and division level elections will be held on Feb 7. If Muthupalaniappan is expelled or suspended any time before or after that date, he will be barred from contesting the presidency.

In mid-March, the CWC is expected to announce the polling date. Samy Vellu's term ends in mid-May.