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MALACCA: The MIC has a record 23 potential candidates for the Ijok by-election, said its president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
“All of them are very good candidates. I find it very difficult to select one.
“If the candidate is too young, people will say they act like babies,” he said adding that it was the first time that he had received so many applications, welcoming it as a “very healthy” development.
He said the three main criteria for selection were political experience, a young age and the ability to serve all communities.
Asked whether the candidate would be a local (Ijok) boy, Samy Vellu, who was visiting SRK (T) Alor Gajah, said:
“We are all local boys (in this country). If we only want the candidate who is born there, then Samy Vellu cannot stand in Sungai Siput and (Datuk G.) Palanivel cannot be in Hulu Selangor.”
Samy Vellu said many people had showed interest to stand and many had forwarded their particulars via the short messaging service.
“Some have sent me warnings saying that if he is not being given the seat, we will lose in the by-election.
“Let him say what he wants to say. We know what are our strengths in Ijok,” he said, adding that he had yet to shortlist the candidates.
The Ijok seat fell vacant after incumbent Datuk K. Sivalingam died of a heart attack. The MIC’s other state seats in Selangor are Sri Andalas and Batu Caves.
Asked when he would retire as his good friend and former Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik had earlier urged him to do so, Samy jokingly replied:
“I can retire from today. I request Lim Keng Yaik to set a date for me to retire.”
Dr Lim retired as party president on Sunday.
