Samy Vellu runs damage control over Mahathir insult

Samy Vellu says his party will discipline the delegate who insulted Dr M during the MIC general assembly yesterday. — Pciture by Jack Ooi

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — The MIC will take disciplinary action against one of its delegates who had suggested that a garland of slippers be placed on the portrait of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the party’s general assembly yesterday.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said he deeply regretted the statement made by the delegate and would ask the delegate concerned to give an explanation to the party’s Disciplinary Committee.

Samy Vellu said in a statement today that he had asked the delegate concerned to end his speech immediately after making the statement on the “garland of slippers” yesterday, but his instruction was not reported by the media.

He said this to clarify the report in a Malay language daily today on the statement by a MIC delegate who wanted the garland of slippers to be placed on Dr Mahathir’s portrait.

Samy Vellu said he had informed the MIC delegates to give the highest respect to Dr Mahathir who had done a lot for the country.

“I realise that Tun Dr Mahathir’s statement on the MIC had offended many delegates but there was no necessity to criticise him in such a manner,” he said.

Samy Vellu said he respected the delegates’ freedom to debate on any issue but when it touched on a national leader, he had to intervene.

Dr Mahathir had given his views on the MIC, Samy Vellu and the decision of former MIC deputy president Datuk S Subramaniam to contest the post of deputy president at the MIC general assembly held on Saturday and yesterday, which had angered several MIC members.

Meanwhile, the criticisms made by the MIC delegates against Dr Mahathir had drawn brickbats from Umno leaders who described such an act as excessive and rude.

Umno Youth vice-head Datuk Razali Ibrahim said such an act was not part of the Barisan Nasional (BN) culture and that the MIC should be responsible and take appropriate action.

“Action must be taken by the BN if the MIC does not take any action on the matter. It must be taken to uphold decorum in the BN,” he said in a statement today.

Razali, who is also the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, said Umno Youth felt that “such an act does not help to divert public attention from the actual position of the MIC. Respect must be earned and not demanded.”

In Alor Setar, the Kedah Umno expressed regret over the attitude of the MIC delegate concerned and described such suggestion as uncalled for and should not have been made by the member of a BN component party.

The State Umno Liaison deputy chairman, Datuk Paduka Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, said although Dr Mahathir was said to have interfered in the affairs of the MIC by making the statement, there were many other ways to convey their displeasure.

“The suggestion reflects that the Indian community in the country does not appreciate Dr Mahathir’s deeds and contributions to the community. This shows their shallow thinking.

“In this context, Kedah Umno wants MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to tender an open apology to Dr Mahathir,” he said. — Bernama