Palanivel's ouster from Najib's cabinet sealed MIC's fate, Ramasamy says

Summary

• Urimai chairperson P Ramasamy says former premier Najib Abdul Razak’s decision to oust G Palanivel from his cabinet led to MIC’s decline.

• Paying tribute to the late leader, Ramasamy says he enjoyed good ties with Palanivel, something not appreciated by some MIC leaders.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s decision to drop ex-MIC president G Palanivel from his cabinet marked the beginning of the party’s decline, said Urimai chairperson P Ramasamy.

“In many ways, Palanivel’s removal marked the beginning of the party’s decline - one that has left it unable to secure even a single ministerial post today,” he said in a statement today.

Palanivel (above), 76, died today at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital at 8am.

Palanivel succeeded S Samy Velu as MIC president in December 2010. The latter served as the party’s chief for 31 years.

In the 2013 general election, he won the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat and was appointed natural resources and environment minister.

In 2015, a leadership tussle emerged in MIC, with Palanivel getting replaced by Dr S Subramaniam.

Soon after, Najib removed Palanivel alongside several other ministers, including Muhyiddin Yassin, at the height of the 1MDB scandal.

Good ties with political foe

Paying tribute to the former minister, Ramasamy said he enjoyed good ties with the former, much to the chagrin of several MIC leaders due to his constant criticism of the party.

“I was told that within MIC circles, he often referred to me as a good friend - something that may not have sat well with certain MIC leaders, given my long-standing criticism of the party,” the former Penang deputy chief minister II added.

Further, Ramasamy said he admired Palanivel because the man was kind and considerate.

“He was uncomfortable with the internal politicking and ‘wheeling and dealing’ that often defines party politics.

“It was this very integrity - his refusal to compromise principles for personal gain - that likely shortened his political tenure,” Ramasamy added.

Ex-MIC president Palanivel dies

PM, govt leaders extol Palanivel's contributions to nation

COMMENT | MIC must democratise itself from within

COMMENT | MIC at crossroads - unity, not legacy, is the future