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Should Samy Vellu stay or go?
By : Suganthi Suparmaniam
source
KUALA LUMPUR: Should MIC party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu stay on as party leader, or should he make way for a successor? In political discussions, especially among the Indian community, this question has been raised frequently in recent weeks. Why now, especially after Samy Vellu has headed the MIC for almost 30 years?
Perhaps, a commentary by Utusan Malaysia columnist Awang Selamat last week articulated the thoughts going through many minds today. He noted that many long-serving Umno, MCA and Gerakan leaders had made way to new faces, but Samy Vellu still insists that his services are needed and that he will continue to contest and lead the party.
Outside the MIC, even among some of his colleagues within the BN coalition, the question is being asked whether Samy Vellu may meet the fate of leaders like Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, long-serving Chief Minister of Penang, and Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar, who led Terengganu from 1974 until 1999. Both were removed by their constituents who felt that they had been too long in office.
But his loyalists within MIC reject such notions, saying that such talk and views are unfair to a man who has worked selflessly and devotedly for the Indian community and the MIC. Tebrau MIC division chairman M. Soorianarayan said Samy Vellu’s leadership was much needed at times of crises like now because there was “no one as generous and committed to the Indians and the MIC like Samy Vellu”. “He is like the ancient King Karna, who was well-known for his generous heart. “People keep harping that because of him we only have one minister. “But they forget that we have various others sitting in different ministries as deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries.”
Federal Territory MIC chairman and national information chief Datuk M. Saravanan said MIC needed an experienced leader like Samy Vellu during crucial times when the opposition was exploiting allegations that the Indian community had not been well looked after. He said Samy Vellu had the experience and ability to counter the opposition and even party members who refused to toe the party line. With the whole country gearing up for the general election, Saravanan said Indians should focus on the election and not squabble among themselves.
Some of Samy Vellu’s detractors are those who are no longer active in the party. Former MIC central working committee member K.P. Samy believes that the party chief should step down before the coming general election for the sake of the Indian community and Barisan Nasional. “He should call for a party election now. “That would be his biggest sacrifice if he really cares for the party and the community,” said the party veteran of 35 years. He claimed that the Indian community was angry with Samy Vellu for failing to groom capable leaders who could take over from him. “He has been in the party for too long. It’s time for him to step down.”
But Samy Vellu has shown the qualities which show his value to the BN. Despite the agitation within the Indian community, he has managed to get Thaipusam declared a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya and for the government to consider making it a national holiday as well. He also managed to get tens of thousands of people to turn up for the Ponggal festival in the federal territory, graced by the prime minister.
Another former central working committee member and former Negri Sembilan MIC exco member, Datuk M. Muthupalaniappan — whose differences with Samy Vellu are well known — said that when a person had been in a position for very long, he would suffer lethargy. He said the rule that one should not continue to be in power for more than two terms must apply to all.
But in general, party insiders feel that they still need their leader — at least to lead them in this general election. “Let’s be realistic. We can’t change horses in mid-stream. “We need him now. But perhaps the time has come for him to consider relinquishing his post and ensure a new leadership is in place before the following general election is held,” said a senior party leader aligned to Samy Vellu. Will that happen? Perhaps, that will be the subject of debate among MIC members after this election.
Only Samy Velu’s cronies in the MIC sing praises and anoint him as Karna of the epic, Mahabharatha. They have to do this to ensure they are not kicked out.
With Samy Velu fighting for his political survival and realizing a bit too late that his thuggish ways do not frighten the Indians anymore, he has to seek the support of his cronies for upholding his lacklustre achievements.
His cronies also realize that they are not as cabable like Samy Velu. If any one of them had the confidence, stature and political track record, then they need not fear him.
Samy Velu had by devious means got rid of his former deputy because he was the only capable one. Others like Sothinathan, Komala Devi, Devamany and and his current deputy are ‘yes men”. They don’t have what it takes to be national leaders. The various state chairpersons won’t dare to rock the boat. Their postion in the party, prestige, wealth and the directorship in various companies would also be in jeopardy if they do not support him.
As soon as he is no more a potent force in the MIC, then all his present cronies would not hesitate to condemn him and throw him to the dogs.
As I now King Karna is a very great man, he will keep his promise, give all his belonging to his people who really need help . How can imagine SV as King Karna. Pls. do not insult King Karna. If King Karna hear this definately he will become ravana .