As Bersatu Battles Storm Another Pn Ship Drifts Into Turbulent Waters

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As the storm within Bersatu rages on, another Perikatan Nasional component has been swept into its own political tempest.
Former Malaysian Indian Progressive Party (MIPP) president Santharasekaran Subramaniam has lodged a report with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) alleging, among other things, that his successor, P Punithan, is not even a registered party member.
At a press conference in Petaling Jaya today, Santharasekaran said the report was filed on Oct 10 after he discovered that the MIPP annual general meeting (AGM) held on Oct 5 was invalid.
“The AGM was conducted based on the personal interests of Punithan as president and S Subramaniam as deputy president.
“There was no prior discussion with the central working committee (CWC), and all decisions were autocratic, contradicting MIPP’s vision and mission as well as the party’s constitution and procedural guidelines,” he alleged.
Santharasekaran urged the RoS to launch an investigation and take firm action over the alleged procedural breaches in the organisation of the meeting.
Also present was Manimaran Kanappram, who claimed to be MIPP’s secretary-general.
‘Dubious AGM, finances in disarray’
Among the alleged irregularities listed in the complaint were the absence of official notifications and meeting notices, failure to issue the mandatory 14-day notice for the AGM, and that motions tabled during the meeting were never discussed by the CWC.
Santharasekaran further claimed that MIPP’s official Bank Rakyat account has remained inactive and that the party’s finances are in disarray.
The MIPP flagHe also alleged that 80 percent of attendees at the AGM were non-members, brought along under the pretext of a trip to Kuala Lumpur.
“The appointment of several new committee members was also unfair, as it was made autocratically for Punithan’s personal benefit.
“There were elements of interference by interest groups and thugs who were promised future rewards by Punithan for joining and assisting MIPP,” he alleged.
Santharasekaran maintained that Punithan cannot hold the position of interim president since he is not a legitimate party member.
Founded in 2018, MIPP appointed Punithan as interim president in 2024, replacing Santharasekaran at the party’s annual meeting.
Backing Santharasekaran’s claim, Manimaran said Punithan is not listed among the party’s registered members.
“I was summoned to the RoS office today to give a statement. Based on records, only 70 individuals are legally registered as party members.
“The rest, including Punithan, are not registered members,” he said.
Malaysiakini has contacted Punithan for comment.
The crisis in MIPP unfolds against the backdrop of mounting tension within Bersatu, where it is alleged that party president Muhyiddin Yassin, who also chairs PN, is targeting his deputy Hamzah Zainudin, said to be eyeing the prime minister’s post and plotting to sideline him. - Mkini

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