"SPECIALY MEETING" Letter addressed to Nat. President but explaination by LM Suresh Sivaram!!! " apalah!"

My apologies for the delay in explaining my take on the turn of events after the so-called special meeting between the Constitutional Amendments Committee and the National Board. I was away on a short holiday and since then was caught up with some office and personal matters.

Allow me to retrace events leading up to this 'controversial' meeting.

1. Using your powers as the National President, Apexian Sathiaseelan was appointed as the chairman of the Constitutional Amendments Committee. Basically his task was to propose amendments to both the National and Club Constitutions to incorporate his proposals on membership.
2. Sathia had at last year's mid-term meeting proposed a draft that Apex Malaysia adopts separate categories of membership. A youth group of active members (21 – 40 years old) who will be responsible for running the club and a second category called associate members (40 plus) who will enjoy the privileges but will not be able to vote or hold office.
3. In pursuance of this Sathia co-opted several individuals to assist him. This group included among others IPP Thava, L/M Sonny and me.
4. We met on several occasions both in KL and in Seremban to review the constitutions to identify articles/clauses for changes.
5. At the constitutional amendments committee meeting on 26 May 2010, the committee realized that if the amendments were pushed through at this year's convention, then we may face a serious problem. A sizable number of our active members (over 40) would fall into the 'associate' category and this would virtually cripple our organisation as the number of youth members (below 40) are very few. The committee was of the opinion that membership was a bigger and more pressing issue than the amendments.
6. Sathia and his members was of the view that these amendments be deffered for the time being until the association addresses the issue of membership. It was then decided that this information and other related matters be best discussed with the National Board Members so that they can come out with an agenda item to get all delegates and observers to share their views and come out with some plan of action.
7. L/M Sonny was tasked to co-ordinate a meeting with the National Board members so that the findings and views of Constitutional Amendments Committee can be be properly discussed.
8. L/M Sonny on the following day contacted NP Lily and briefed her on what transpired at the meeting and suggested that a special meeting be held to discuss the issues highlighted by the Constitutional Amendments committee. They mutually agreed on the day and again L/M Sonny was assigned to co-ordinate the meeting.
9. L/M Sonny subsequently e-mailed to all NB members & NRD's calling for the meeting at the behest of the NP.
10. At the meeting on 30 June 2010, held at PJ Club, all attendees were briefed on the issues and a very vocal discussion took place. While accepting the report by the Constitutional Amendments committee, the participants could not arrive at a consensus on how this issue should be put across and discussed at the convention.
11. Finally the meeting felt that as the incoming NP, Apexian GN Nair should be given the leeway to handle this issue. GN Nair informed all that he had some ideas on the matter and will do his best to move Apex Malaysia forward with the co-operation of all members past & present.

The above is a gist of what transpired. I must however confess that in being brief, I have omitted several peripheral issues. My intention however is not to mislead or conceal information.

I have since read the various opinions and views expressed by some of our very senior and experienced members and I think that it is very much their right to comment as they see it.

However since Apex is a fraternity of like-minded people and where fellowship and friendship are cornerstone of our activities, I am of the opinion that we must at all times refrain from personal attacks.

Secondly the meeting was definitely not called for a small group to impose arbitrarily their views or proposals on the association. It was called merely to report back the findings of the Constitutional Amendments Committee. L/M Sonny may have dramatized the occasion through his choice of words, which is typical of Sonny. All said and done, L/M Sonny, though no longer an active member, is nevertheless always ready as a Life Member to help out anyone at anytime. That much I can vouch for.

Thirdly we must all acknowledge that Apex Malaysia is weak today and our priority now should be to pool our resources to re-built Apex. Let us all look at the big picture and not be side-tracked by divisive issues.

And finally, my humble apologies, if in my explanation I may have inadvertently hurt anyone.

Thank you & best regards

L/M Suresh Sivaram