Thanks but no thanks, MIC boss tells Hisham

SOURCE : MALAYSIAKINI

MIC president S Samy Vellu has fended off Umno Youth’s concern over developments in his party’s Youth wing.

MCPX

MIC Youth head SA Vigneswaran quit the party on Saturday after being told to step down because - at 42 - he has “exceeded the age limit” of 40 years for members of the wing .

Four Kedah Youth leaders had earlier left the party in disagreement with Samy Vellu’s directive to Vignesawaran.

These developments prompted comments by Umno Youth head Hishammuddin Hussein on Saturday, who was quoted in a Star report as saying that the developments need the attention of other Youth leaders.

In a statement, Samy Vellu said he “welcomes” Hishammuddin’s concern over events in MIC Youth, but pointedly said this was in line with a restructuring exercise.

“The MIC is currently undergoing a rebranding exercise, including restructuring the Youth wing,” said Samy Vellu.

“This is in line with the constitutional requirement of the party and it has been decided that a Youth leader who has reached the age of 41 years must vacate his position in the movement.

“This is MIC central working committee’s interpretation of the MIC constitution on the age limit for Youth members. If we do not follow this, I fear that several hundreds, if not thousands of youth members may not be able to move up the hierarchy.”

To strengthen the Youth wing, a National Youth Advisory Council has been formed. Its coordinator is former MIC Youth deputy chief S Ramis.

“CWC member T Mohan has been appointed as Youth coordinator while S Murugesan is his deputy. Mohan is 35 years old and I believe he will be able to recruit more youths,” said Samy Vellu.

The statement added that the council will go on a nationwide tour to recruit more members. Mohan will also conduct the MIC Youth annual general meeting scheduled for Sunday