By Baradan Kuppusamy - The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — The DAP is looking to recruit MIC leaders unhappy with the party and its many failures.
But political experts say it might not be a good idea to go after MIC leaders because many of them are tainted by their unquestioning support for party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and the Barisan Nasional (BN).
“It is better to rely on DAP Indian leaders and promote them than rely on MIC leaders,” said a political observer familiar with Indian politics.
“The Indian grassroots situation is changing and in the long run it is better to develop young and independent-minded leaders.”
DAP vice-chairman and Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran is understood to have met several MIC leaders and held discussions with them.
He is believed to have held talks with leaders like MIC Central Working Committee member K. P. Samy and others who are staunchly anti-Samy Vellu.
However observers note that while these leaders are anti-Samy Vellu, there are question marks about whether they are still loyal to BN.
“After supporting Barisan for so many years they would feel out of place in the DAP which is highly critical of Umno and Barisan,” the observers said.
When contacted, Kulasegaran said the DAP was always looking for new blood and fresh talents and not just from the MIC but also from other political parties.
“There’s nothing wrong in looking at MIC leaders,” her said adding he had held some discussions with several MIC leaders who are interested in joining the DAP.
“They are frustrated in the MIC and toying with an exit as they feel the party is dead. They want to do some good for the Indian community and feel staying in the MIC is a waste of time,” Kulasegaran said.
“We will welcome them but they have got to be credible and start at the bottom as ordinary members,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
K. P. Samy confirmed he had been approached by the DAP but was “unsure” about the right move.
“I am a politician and I want to serve the Indian community but doing that is getting difficult in the MIC,” he said.
“The MIC is trapped in the past.”
He said that not all former BN leaders are rejects and cited MCA leader Dr Chua Jui Meng as an example.
Recruiting credible Indian leaders in DAP has become urgent after Indian support for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in the recent Hulu Selangor by-election dropped from 48 per cent in 2008 to 41 per cent.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his 1 Malaysia campaign is also beginning to show results with voters as first seen in Bagan Pinang in October last year and last month in Hulu Selangor.
It is because of all these considerations, political insiders said, that PR parties are on a recruitment drive from MIC.
KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — The DAP is looking to recruit MIC leaders unhappy with the party and its many failures.
But political experts say it might not be a good idea to go after MIC leaders because many of them are tainted by their unquestioning support for party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and the Barisan Nasional (BN).
“It is better to rely on DAP Indian leaders and promote them than rely on MIC leaders,” said a political observer familiar with Indian politics.
“The Indian grassroots situation is changing and in the long run it is better to develop young and independent-minded leaders.”
DAP vice-chairman and Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran is understood to have met several MIC leaders and held discussions with them.
He is believed to have held talks with leaders like MIC Central Working Committee member K. P. Samy and others who are staunchly anti-Samy Vellu.
However observers note that while these leaders are anti-Samy Vellu, there are question marks about whether they are still loyal to BN.
“After supporting Barisan for so many years they would feel out of place in the DAP which is highly critical of Umno and Barisan,” the observers said.
When contacted, Kulasegaran said the DAP was always looking for new blood and fresh talents and not just from the MIC but also from other political parties.
“There’s nothing wrong in looking at MIC leaders,” her said adding he had held some discussions with several MIC leaders who are interested in joining the DAP.
“They are frustrated in the MIC and toying with an exit as they feel the party is dead. They want to do some good for the Indian community and feel staying in the MIC is a waste of time,” Kulasegaran said.
“We will welcome them but they have got to be credible and start at the bottom as ordinary members,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
K. P. Samy confirmed he had been approached by the DAP but was “unsure” about the right move.
“I am a politician and I want to serve the Indian community but doing that is getting difficult in the MIC,” he said.
“The MIC is trapped in the past.”
He said that not all former BN leaders are rejects and cited MCA leader Dr Chua Jui Meng as an example.
Recruiting credible Indian leaders in DAP has become urgent after Indian support for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in the recent Hulu Selangor by-election dropped from 48 per cent in 2008 to 41 per cent.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his 1 Malaysia campaign is also beginning to show results with voters as first seen in Bagan Pinang in October last year and last month in Hulu Selangor.
It is because of all these considerations, political insiders said, that PR parties are on a recruitment drive from MIC.
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