MIC President G Palanivel has been labelled 'schizophrenic' for suspending five party members over an alleged siege on the party headquarters, says a division leader.

Kepong MIC chief S Vell Paari, who is one of the five, said the Registrar of Societies had made it clear that Palanivel had no powers to sack or suspend any party member.

"I have received a letter of suspension signed by Palanivel claiming to be the president of MIC. It's evident he is a schizophrenic.

"The ROS in very certain terms has clearly stated he has no powers to sack, make any changes or suspend anyone." he said in a statement today.

Besides Vell Paari ( left ), those issued suspension letters were former youth chief T Mohan, Setiawangsa division chief S Rajah, former MIC central working committee member S S Rajagopal and Setiawangsa Youth chief S Arumugam.

Palanivel yesterday said they were suspended for staging an alleged coup which shut down the party headquarters last week.

Vell Paari, Mohan, and Rajah are now mulling legal action against Palanivel for his statement yesterday.

"I give him 48 hours to withdraw his statement [...] he must apologise. If he doesn't do that I will take legal action against him," Rajah told Malaysiakin i.

'Stop acting like clowns'

Mohan meanwhile urged Palanivel to “stop acting like a clown” and making the MIC a laughing stock.

"I urge and advise Datuk Seri G Palanivel and camp to stop acting like clowns in a circus and trying to divert people’s attention away from the actual issues," he said in a statement.

He claimed Palanivel ( right ) not only had no authority but had foregone his MIC membership by challenging the RoS' call for party re-elections at court.

"May I remind Palanivel, that upon Article 91 of the MIC Constitution, he is deemed to have ceased his rights not only as president but also as an ordinary member of the congress," he said .

Article 91 of MIC's charter states that anyone who brings party matters to court without consulting the central working committee will cease to be a member.

The MIC, which has been in a leadership crisis for months, had been o rdered by the RoS to hold party re-elections.

Palanivel's camp, however, has filed for a judicial review to challenge the RoS directive.