The MIC is getting into a deeper crisis by going for a judicial review, and the better way to address the problems is to revert back to the original Registrar of Societies (ROS) directive that re-elections be held again for some position to rectify the mistakes and shortcomings.

It is totally unnecessary to have a re-polling for all the positions according to the second ROS initiative. It is advisable for all the well-intentioned BN leaders and politicians to allow the MIC to come to terms with its internal problems and resolve them for a long-lasting, not a short-term, solution.

The first directive from the ROS was more favorable to G Palanivel and Dr S Subramaniam as president and deputy president respectively. What transpired later - that the BN secretariat hold MIC elections, which was later withdrawn due to rejection from MIC members, and the ROS’ second initiative that the MIC hold election for all positions - are not favourable to the president and his deputy.  

Elections for all positions will destabilise the party. As is well known, election time is a critical point for political parties and it will shake the party to the core especially in a close-fought and evenly-matched polls.

With accusations, recriminations, character assassination, bad-mouthing calumnies, lies and other negative elements hurled against one another, could take a serious toll on the party, and the party could be more divided than now. Palanivel should opt for the first ROS directive as it was more balanced and addressed the core problem at hand.  He needs to resolve the problems between the factions as they are weakening the party and its ties with other BN leaders.  

Once the crisis is ended, the MIC must initiate long-overdue major electoral reforms to prevent a repeat.