'MIC needs to rejuvenate to keep party relevant'

KUALA LUMPUR: Following the criticism of the Sultan of Pahang against Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, a senior MIC leader Thursday hit out at his boss and said the party was in dire need to rejuvenate and renew itself in order to keep its relevancy in the local political landscape.MIC Strategic Director Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari said at this stage, the 68-year-old party needed a dynamic leader who can rise to the challenges faced by the MIC.

"It was most disheartening to read the Sultan of Pahang admonishing MIC President Datuk Seri G. Palanivel as reported by the newspapers Thursday.

"The Sultan had criticised him with regard to his role as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Cameron Highlands, which recently witnessed a devastating mudslide which killed five people," he said in a statement, here Thursday.

Vell Paari made the comment after the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah, lashed out at Palanivel, who is the Cameron Highlands MP, for his absence during the royal visit and his inaction in his constituency.

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The ruler took a swipe at Palanivel, who is also the natural resources and environment minister, for not taking action to solve the problem of mudslides in the Bertam Valley following a similar incident last year in which four people had died.

Vell Paari said he was shocked that the MP (Palanivel) was not present during the Sultan's visit to Cameron Highlands, which was a protocol violation and respect accorded to the ruler.

Meanwhile, Palanivel, in respond to the accusation, said that he was ready to offer an explanation to the Sultan of Pahang about the real situation in Cameron Highlands, both the good and the bad.

"I have also held discussions with the Menteri Besar of Pahang. I have a good relationship with the Sultan and the Palace. I am certain the Sultan's concern for the land and its rakyat was genuine and his heart is always for their welfare," he said in his latest Facebook posting here Thursday.

He added that for certain quarters to point fingers towards him for doing nothing on the problem was wrong.

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"Let us all realise that we are equal stakeholders and work to save Cameron Highlands. We need serious attention on this matter not just pointing fingers at each other.

"Many things have already happened even before I was elected as MP. But I am sure we can rehabilitate Cameron Highlands and stop the massive environmental degradation that is happening," he said. – Bernama

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