Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Those next in line will have to wait a bit longer since SV has confirmed that he will stand for president one more time. That means the current sole MIC minister cannot be come the MIC president unless early elections are held (before 2012).
In one way, this splits the party since the leader is not in the cabinet, while its only minister is not leaders. But not a big problem as we have Gerakan (Lim Keng Yaik) and PKR (Anwar as “de-facto” leader) in this situation.
One problem i see is the claim by SV that he will pick the candidates for next election if it is held before party elections. The latest date for general election is February 2013. If he picks the candidates and they win in general elections, most likely they’ll win party elections. If the candidates lose the general elections, it will be a more open battle for position.
I guess what SV doing is trying to hold the ship together for next 3 years. If he accedes to community wishes and resigns, there’s a big possibility that many leaders will jostle for the top posts. This will create more uncertainty and may fatally divide the party. That may be his thinking. It may turn out that competition for the positions will bring fresh breathe of air and allow MIC to start with a clean slate. There may be turmoil, but if the leaders are able to work together after party elections, then it will be a new beginning for MIC.
What SV need to think is that his continued presence in MIC will be most likely casting a deadly shadow over the party. Rest of the leaders will be seen as yes-me, and coupled with dislike for Samy, the party will be rejected by the community.
So, does Samy take a chance and quit or continue with his thinking?
Samy going for his ‘last term’
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu will defend his presidency for the “last term” in the MIC party polls scheduled for March next year.
“I will retire in 2012 (after the end of the three-year presidency). I have already said it before,” the 72-year-old told reporters after presenting UPSR revision books to headmasters and students of Tamil schools here yesterday. He said he would also stick to his decision not to contest for any parliamentary seat in the next general election.
(In March, Samy Vellu said that the general election would be his last, and that he would concentrate on party work and return to his architectural work when he retires).
Samy Vellu said that since he was not a minister, he had all the time to do party work.
To a question, he said he would be happy if anyone contested for the top post. “It will also give me a chance to see my strength in the party,” he said. Samy Vellu had led the party since taking over the presidency in 1979 following the death of Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam.
He said the state MIC leadership would be revamped after their annual general meetings in May and June. Samy Vellu said there was a need to overhaul the party leadership and machinery within the next two years and also recruit 200,000 young members.
Samy to defend post one last time
Apr 4, 08 7:22pm
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/80919
Embattled MIC president S Samy Vellu is not ready to thrown in the towel just yet. The 72-year-old politician today said he will be defending his post for the last time in the presidential elections in March next year. The former works minister reiterated that it would be his last term leading the party and that he would not contest in the next general election.
“I will definitely contest for the president’s post. I’ve already said I will retire after 2012. “But I will not contest anymore in the general election. It’s enough,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Samy Vellu, who lost in the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in last month’s general election, said he welcomed contest from anyone who wanted to challenge him for the top post which he had held for 27 years. “Let anyone contest, I don’t want to say who will contest or what. Anybody can contest and I will be very happy because I want to see what strength they have,” he said.
Rebuild the party
He was returned unopposed in the presidential election for the 10th consecutive term, making him the longest-serving MIC president. Samy Vellu said he would be choosing candidates for the next general election should the 13th general election be held before or in 2012. “I will still be deciding on the candidates, then I say goodbye,” he said.
As for now, the MIC supremo said he would be focusing on overhauling the party at all levels, starting with a series of meetings with grassroots leaders from next month. Samy Vellu said he would revamp the state MIC liaison committees after the party’s general assembly in July. He also said the party had set a target to rope in at least 200,000 young members in the next two years as part of the drive to rejuvenate the largest Indian-based party to remain relevant to the community.
The party suffered a blow in the March 8 general election, winning only three of the nine parliamentary seats and seven of the 19 state seats.
“We want to overhaul the party and have changes in the leadership,” said Samy Vellu. “I am happier now. I am able to do more work and contribute to the party.”
Samy Vellu to contest party chief’s post
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC chief Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has declared he will contest the party presidency next March, and he’s raring for a contest. His announcement ended speculation over what the defeated Sungai Siput MP had planned for himself and the MIC. He has led the party since 1979.
The party’s stunning losses in the last general election led to speculation Samy Vellu would make way for a younger leader or another veteran. “I will definitely contest the party presidency. I am no longer a minister and have all the time to do party work,” said the 72-year-old, who in recent days has been more strident in his criticism of the government.
But, he said, he would no longer stand for election, and if he won the party’s vote it would be his last term as party chief. And he will continue to choose the MIC candidates for the elections. The three-year term would end in 2012.
Touching on Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar’s efforts to solve temple problems in the state, he said: “I would be happy if he can settle the problems. I will be happy, but he must get them the land.”
No….. we want you to resign immediately ……!!! pattatellam pothummappa samy………