Speculation Wanita MIC chief will be dropped
PETALING JAYA: Rumours are flying in MIC political circles that Wanita MIC chief Datin Paduka P. Komala Devi will be dropped from contesting in the coming general election. But the Kapar MP, who is also Education Ministry parliamentary secretary, is unfazed by the rumours, saying that this was the work of mischievous people. She said she had served the people well and had a good track record to show.
“It is the prerogative of the party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to pick the candidates,” she said, responding to questions on whether she could be one of the nine MIC MPs to be dropped.
Samy Vellu had announced that new and young faces would be fielded in the elections. Komala, who is a two-term MP, said it was too early to talk about the candidacy as the election date had yet to be announced. “We know the election is near and for that reason our election machinery is in full swing.”
It is learnt that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) secretary-general Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim would contest the Kapar parliamentary seat. In the 2004 elections, Komala defeated PKR’s Ang Hiock Gai with a majority of 14,588 votes.
Asked if this election would be extra challenging, especially after the illegal rally initiated by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), Komala said voter expectations were constantly changing and both MIC and BN had to keep up with their needs.”Indians traditionally have been BN supporters and the government has done much for the Indians. The track record is there for all to see. “I am confident we (MIC) will once again bring in at least 80 to 90 per cent of the Indian votes to BN.”
Komala said Samy Vellu, being a progressive leader, had recognised women’s contributions to the community.She said he had given the opportunity for two Indian women to be senators – Puan Sri Janaki Athi Nahappan and Datin Paduka Jaya Partiban – and for them to contest state and federal elections.