SIVARAJ Chandran, a former lawmaker for Cameron Highlands, has quit Barisan Nasional’s Indian component party MIC. 

The former MIC youth chief and party vice-president said his resignation is with immediate effect.

“I would like to announce my resignation as the Taman Bukit Kuchai Baru branch head and at the same time declare that I’m quitting MIC with immediate effect today,” Sivaraj said in a letter to MIC president S.A. Vigneswaran. 

The Malaysian Insight sighted the letter

Two weeks ago, Vigneswaran removed Sivaraj MIC’s central working committee.

The party did not give a reason for the Senate member’s removal.

Sivaraj, who has been with the party for 20 years, alleged “certain unprecedented events” while serving under the current leadership of Vigneswaran, led him to “reluctantly” come to the decision. 

“Personally, I feel this decision is the best for me and the most important for the party at the moment, because I am seen as a threat to the existing leadership,” Sivaraj stated in the letter. 

“Worse still, I was blocked in various ways from continuing my devotional service to the community and country.

“Now, I want to carry out my responsibilities and duties as a Dewan Negara member and a leader for the Indian community without any obstacles or restrictions from any parties, especially the MIC leadership,” he added. 

Sivaraj said if the differences in the party continued, it would lead to further divisions.

“If this matter continues in the long run, I see a high possibility it will lead to division among party members. 

“To be honest, I don’t want to be the cause of this party continuing to split due to differences in views and approaches,” he added. 

In his parting message, Sivaraj hoped MIC will continue to be the voice of the Indian community and that all of the sacrifices and contribution of the late S. Samy Vellu is not wasted in the interest of certain individuals. – June 27, 2023.