KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Describing the MIC disciplinary committee hearing against him as "hogwash", 'man of the moment' Datuk M. Muthupalaniappan has chastised party leaders for using the hearing to bar him from contesting the president's post.
He is the sole presidential aspirant at the MIC presidential election in April or May.
"It is definitely a hogwash. They (the party disciplinary committee) are in a hurry to hear my case, with a view to disqualifying me from contesting the president's post.
"The party has fixed Feb 7 as nomination at branch level and if I am sacked before that date, then I would not be able to contest the president's post.
"I am chairman of the Seremban MIC branch. Only a branch chairman can contest the president's post.
"So, (their plan is that if) they can ensure that I do not contest the branch chairman post, then automatically, I do not qualify to contest the president's post," he told reporters, following a 45-minute MIC disciplinary committee hearing at the party headquarters here today.
On Dec 23, last year, the MIC disciplinary committee had issued a show-cause notice to Muthupalaniappan, 68, a former MIC vice-president, for allegedly acting against the party's interests by issuing press statements.
The presidential aspirant had replied to the notice, objecting to committee chief Tan Sri G. Vadiveloo's presence at the hearing as the latter was a witness to the charge.
At the onset of the hearing today, Muthupalaniappan, who hails from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, said Vadiveloo had objected to the two lawyers whom he had brought, adding that subsequently, they were asked to leave the room where the hearing was held.
"He then proceeded to read the charge as per the show-cause notice. Then, I raised my preliminary objections. I told them I needed time to bring my 15 witnesses and that three dates be set aside for the hearing.
"I also wanted the disciplinary committee to furnish me proof of what I was reported to have said in the media. To this, Vadiveloo said that I should source it on my own.
"Since the allegation is made against me, it is only right that they furnish me details of my so-called wrong-doing," he said.
The senior politician said after he raised the preliminary objections, Vadiveloo refused to deliberate on the objections and said that he wanted to "close the matter by today".
"He ruled that he was not entertaining the objections. I just want a complete enquiry. This is not a kangaroo court. It must be done, in accordance to the party's regulations and by-laws.
"Since he did not want to entertain my objections, then I had no choice but to leave the enquiry. Vadiveloo also said the committee would forward its findings based on my 45 minutes with them, to the party's central working committee (CWC).
"They also said that they would not call any more witnesses," he said. The MIC CWC is the party's highest decision-making body.
Muthupalaniappan said he received a letter from the MIC disciplinary committee on Jan 7, and was asked to turn up for the hearing today.
"Actually, I came today to raise the preliminary objections and not to take part in the inquiry. But this is what happened," he added.
He is the sole presidential aspirant at the MIC presidential election in April or May.
"It is definitely a hogwash. They (the party disciplinary committee) are in a hurry to hear my case, with a view to disqualifying me from contesting the president's post.
"The party has fixed Feb 7 as nomination at branch level and if I am sacked before that date, then I would not be able to contest the president's post.
"I am chairman of the Seremban MIC branch. Only a branch chairman can contest the president's post.
"So, (their plan is that if) they can ensure that I do not contest the branch chairman post, then automatically, I do not qualify to contest the president's post," he told reporters, following a 45-minute MIC disciplinary committee hearing at the party headquarters here today.
On Dec 23, last year, the MIC disciplinary committee had issued a show-cause notice to Muthupalaniappan, 68, a former MIC vice-president, for allegedly acting against the party's interests by issuing press statements.
The presidential aspirant had replied to the notice, objecting to committee chief Tan Sri G. Vadiveloo's presence at the hearing as the latter was a witness to the charge.
At the onset of the hearing today, Muthupalaniappan, who hails from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, said Vadiveloo had objected to the two lawyers whom he had brought, adding that subsequently, they were asked to leave the room where the hearing was held.
"He then proceeded to read the charge as per the show-cause notice. Then, I raised my preliminary objections. I told them I needed time to bring my 15 witnesses and that three dates be set aside for the hearing.
"I also wanted the disciplinary committee to furnish me proof of what I was reported to have said in the media. To this, Vadiveloo said that I should source it on my own.
"Since the allegation is made against me, it is only right that they furnish me details of my so-called wrong-doing," he said.
The senior politician said after he raised the preliminary objections, Vadiveloo refused to deliberate on the objections and said that he wanted to "close the matter by today".
"He ruled that he was not entertaining the objections. I just want a complete enquiry. This is not a kangaroo court. It must be done, in accordance to the party's regulations and by-laws.
"Since he did not want to entertain my objections, then I had no choice but to leave the enquiry. Vadiveloo also said the committee would forward its findings based on my 45 minutes with them, to the party's central working committee (CWC).
"They also said that they would not call any more witnesses," he said. The MIC CWC is the party's highest decision-making body.
Muthupalaniappan said he received a letter from the MIC disciplinary committee on Jan 7, and was asked to turn up for the hearing today.
"Actually, I came today to raise the preliminary objections and not to take part in the inquiry. But this is what happened," he added.
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