Disgruntlement continues to brew in the Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MAICCI) against its president KK Easwaran.

According to V Suppiah, from the Sabah chamber, members are "fed up" with the president, who has allowed the issue to become "too hot to handle."

eswaran maicci 23_01_2009

He said they want Easwaran ( left ) to convene a special delegate conference (SDC) to air their grievances, including pushing for a vote of no confidence against his leadership.

Following complaints from members that MAICCI failed to hold a SDC as stipulated by clause 10(1)(ii) of its constitution, the Registrar of Societies (ROS) issued a warning letter.

"ROS is very concerned with this matter and hopes that the organisation will take the necessary action to resolve the matter in line with MAICCI's constitution," read the letter, dated Sept 9.

However, Eswaran, who is a close associate of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, said the issue is being resolved now as he has sent a reply to the ROS before Hari Raya.

"I am aware of this letter. We know how to handle the matter," he said when contacted.

The letter was the result of seven chambers - Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Sabah, Perak, Kedah, Labuan, Terengganu and Melaka - seeking intervention from the ROS in June for the "breach of constitution" by the MAICCI leadership.

They also alleged that the MAICCI president and management council failed to act on the resolutions submitted by the state chambers on the vote of no confidence and to call for a SDC.

Heed the views of members

Suppiah told Malaysiakini that the MAICCI president should heed the views of the members instead of ignoring them.

"Members are fed up with the president. To show their disapproval, they refuse to attend the management council meetings.

"The president has left the issue too hot until it burns when one touches it," he said.

After doing a thorough study on the matter, Suppiah said the ROS conceded with MAICCI members that the organisation is not following proper procedures and that the president is not adhering to the rules and regulations.

"The accounts are not in proper order. There are no financial reports since the last election yet MAICCI keeps issuing cheques.

"Currently, there is no general secretary and assistant general secretary since both resigned in February," he said.

In view of this Suppiah reiterated that Easwaran should hold a SDC to allow members to express their grouses.

"Four of seven chambers have asked for a SDC since February this year yet the request has been put off until today. We intend to call for a vote of no confidence against the president," he said.

'Misleading' the ROS

The other complaints relate to:

1) Misguiding the ROS into requesting and obtaining extension until end of December 2009 to convene the annual delegates conference without notifying the state chambers and seeking the approval of the management council

2) Failure to replace the general secretary and assistant general secretary after the resignation of the elected representatives since February 2009

3) Calling for the fifth management council meeting on Aug 21, 2009 without 14 days notice and without addressing state chambers' resolution calling for a SDC and inter postponing the meeting to Sept 3, 2009. The notice issued by the clerk is not proper and if the meeting proceeds it could be challenged and the decisions made null and void.