UPDATED 12.10PM | Inspector-general of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun has refuted the authenticity of a purported Whatsapp text exchange in which he allegedly promised to investigate an MIC vice-president over the claims relating to the upcoming party polls.

"I am upset that my name is dragged in this (allegation). The viral message is all fake and completely untrue. I deny any involvement this matter," he told reporters today.

However, the MIC vice-president in question, SA Vigneswaran, later refused to confirm nor deny the veracity of the accusations when contacted by Malaysiakini.

This came after a screengrab of the exchange on the social messaging app was being spread online.

It appeared to show a 'IGP TS Fuzi' promising that investigations were being carried out, in reply to a text alleging that MIC division and branch chiefs were being pressured by MIC's Vigneswaran to support his bid for the presidency.

The complainant, whose name was blurred in the screengrab and who claimed to be representing several of the division chiefs, had further claimed that they feared the leader's sibling, said to be a gangster from Subang Jaya.

The 'IGP' appeared to reply that his officer had already informed him of the matter and on developments pertaining to the MIC polls, and that "investigations are ongoing". The reply was signed off with F. Harun and the chat window contained Fuzi's photo as the sender's profile picture.

When asked if police had received any report by an MIC member regarding the issue, Fuzi said: "as far as I'm concerned, there has been no report lodged from MIC."

He was commenting during a press conference following a blood donation drive at Bukit Aman today. 

Vigneswaran: Yet to see message

Meanwhile, when contacted by Malaysiakini, Vigneswaran refused to comment, stating: "You have to ask the person (who allegedly sent that message). I cannot deny or agree as I have not seen the message yet...there are 4,600 (MIC) branches, if it's true, there would be a police report (from MIC members).

"It must be fake news. (The) IGP had also denied it, so there's no need for me to give further comment (on the allegation).

MIC delegates would be voting for their new president on July 29, months ahead of the previous plan to hold the contest in October.

Following the party's abysmal performance during May's general election in which the party, under BN, lost seven of the nine parliamentary seats it contested. 

This led party president Dr S Subramaniam, who himself lost the Segamat parliamentary seat, to state he would not be defending his position in the party elections.

It was later reported that Vigneswaran, who is also Dewan Negara president and senator, had expressed his intention to contest for the party's top post.

A party source told Malaysiakini that the presidential candidates would be nominated on July 14, with Vigneswaran expected to be the sole candidate for the top post.

Meanwhile, MIC central working committee member and Tapah MP M Saravanan is said to be gunning for the deputy president's post against incumbent SK Devamany.