SAMY VELLU: His party is badly cracked
The MIC’s timidity in not taking action against former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and two of his supporters for tarnishing the image of the party in the lead up to the recent party polls is unprecedented.
The charge of tarnishing the party image has been used freely by Samy Vellu to sack critics over the years.
His decision yesterday at the first meeting of the new Central Working Committee (CWC) shocked many leaders.
The CWC sanctioned Samy Vellu’s decision in spite of a letter, handed over to party secretary-general S. Murugesan during the meeting, stating that yesterday’s meeting was illegal on the basis that the Sept 12 party polls were void.
The seven complainants are all allied with Subramaniam.
At 2.30pm, the seven members lodged a report with the Registrar of Societies on irregularities during
the elections.
They asked that the elections be nullified because of irregularities, vote buying and cheating (see accompanying story).
By the end of the day, several CWC members were wheeling out their withering metaphors about a weakening Samy Vellu.
They had joined the great rumpus about an “irrelevant president who has thrust the party into a full blown crisis”.
Quite unheard of remarks came from his close aides.
A CWC member who requested anonymity said: “The president has degenerated into a feeble figure,
devoid of any direction.”
He said they had expected Samy Vellu to unleash his power against his long-time nemesis Subramaniam.
“By not doing so, his stand is being interpreted as a sign of a pushover leader,” another CWC member said.
He said Samy Vellu should have sent a cutting message that he would not tolerate insolence and harm to the image of the party.
“By forgiving the trio, the perception of the Barisan Nasional, party members and the public towards Samy Vellu will not change.
“He’s at the lowest point in his political career and almost everybody is against him.”
Other leaders said trouble in the party has dynamited its foundation and that its dwindling prospects are being increasingly threatened by a rank and file meltdown.
A party stalwart said: “If his decision was to avoid a split in the party, it was directionless. The party is badly cracked. His weakness has destabilised the party and it is made even weaker by him giving in to the party’s main critic (Subramaniam).
“What is there to stop Subramaniam or any other member from hitting out at the president and party?”
Enough proof to nullify party polls
Saraswathy: Blatant cheating in the MIC
She said her clients had cited many irregularities, including vote buying and cheating, to back up their case.
“We can’t turn our backs on such blatant cheating and are confident of a positive response from the registrar.”
She said central to the irregularities is the alleged role of party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
“After being returned unopposed as president in March, he broke all rules by fielding his own team, openly supporting and campaigning for them.
“He also used his office and party facilities to ensure victory for his team.”
The complainants include vice-presidential candidate P. Subramaniam and six candidates for the Central Working Committee.
Pushing their case under “MIC election irregularities committee”, they claimed wrongdoings during balloting and vote counting.
Supporters of Samy Vellu are also alleged to have been ordered to take pictures of their ballot papers with the “X”.
This apparently was to show proof that they voted for Samy Vellu’s official line-up. They further alleged that the delegates were promised “remuneration” after showing the photo.
Delegates were barred by the election committee from carrying handphones but Samy Vellu had intervened
to allow them on condition the devices were switched off.
This has cast doubts as the phones could very well have been on, said Saraswathy. She also said the complaints were rejected by the election committee because the seven members had one week after Sept 12 to lodge their complaints but had failed to do so.
“The committee chairman should be replying to us directly and not through the media,” said Saraswathy, adding that the complainants had yet to receive an official response.
Disciplinary action may have backfired
POSSIBLE reasons why no disciplinary action was taken against Datuk S. Subramaniam:
• Risk of further dilution of support for the MIC.
• Any action might badly affect the MIC’s campaign to woo the 19.9 per cent Indian votes in the Bagan Pinang by-election.
• The new Makkal Sakthi party, that has already pledged to campaign for the BN in the by-election, might get the credit for whatever Indian votes that go to the ruling coalition.
• Could lead to the MIC splitting into two as happened to Umno in 1988. That year, Umno split with former vice-president and Finance Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah calling his half Semangat 46 and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad registering Umno Baru.
• Increased popularity of Subramaniam in the MIC, thereby becoming a bigger threat to Samy Vellu than ever before.
• The emergence of the Movement for Reawakening of the Indian community, all supporters of Subramaniam, to take charge of the future of Indians and reject the MIC as representatives of the Indian community and Samy Vellu and his team as community leaders.
• The worrying presence of at least 200 MIC branch chairmen at the large gathering of the movement in Klang on Sunday — an indication of mounting support for Subramaniam.
Makkal Sakthi threat
RECENT events that weakened Samy Vellu further:
• The decision by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to officiate the launch of the new Indian-based Makkal Sakthi party on Oct 10.
• Barisan Nasional’s apparent stand not to rely solely on partners like the MIC to garner support and votes.
• Makkal Sakthi receiving a confidence vote from the influential former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
• Verbal bashing from Dr Mahathir who has described Samy Vellu as a much hated leader.
• The Movement for Reawakening of the Indian community to fight the Indian cause.
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