'Let members' decide Samy Vellu's future'

By G Vinod
KUALA LUMPUR: An EGM could once and for all decide if MIC president S Samy Vellu should vacate his post immediately or be allowed to leave at his own chosen speed.


MIC central working committee member KP Samy, in making the proposal, said members should be given a say if Samy Velly should stay on or capitulate to calls for his immediate resignation.
“It is vital for sake of the party and Barisan Nasional,” he said.
The MIC is in turmoil after Samy Vellu sacked Petaling Jaya division chief Barat Maniam and national deputy youth chief V Mugilan for criticising him recently.
Barat Maniam was sacked for sending an SMS telling Samy Vellu that the party was not his family's to run as he pleases while Mugilan was sacked for urging the party president to resign.
Samy also proposed that a secret ballot be conducted among MIC's 3,200 branches nationwide to decide if Samy Vellu should step down and vacate his post.
“The Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings said the president's decision to leave in nine's month had the endorsement of the the branches. I say, let's put it to vote,” said Samy.
He added the EGM can be held in July when the party holds an annual general meeting to discuss administrative matters.
“Samy Vellu's decision to step down in eight to nine months is too long. He should step down by end of this year to ensure a smooth transition of power,” said Samy.
“The community needs a new leader. Samy Vellu has been holding on to power for far too long. He must also realise that the people rejected MIC in the previous general election,” he added.
When asked if he feared repercussions from the MIC president for his statement, Samy calmly said he was prepared to face the music. “My concern is for the party and to secure BN's vote bank.”
Legal action mulled against Mohan
On another matter, Samy said he's in consultations with his lawyers over Youth chief T Mohan's challenge to take him to court over the alleged transfer of RM3.5 million in funds belonging to MIED.
Samy had queried the alleged transfer of MIED's fund to Suria Setia Capital Berhad, a company jointly owned by Mohan and former MIED CEO P Chitrakala Vasu in a CWC meeting.
After not getting a proper response from Mohan, Samy brought the issue to the attention of the media.
“I”m now in talks with my legal advisors on how to take the matter up to the next level,” he said.
Mohan said he had been cleared of wrongdoings by the police and the MACC over the issue, and said Samy was out to tarnish his image because he was inline for a senatorship.
Samy rebutted: “The CWC is not aware of any rumours of him being appointed a senator. The matter was not even discussed at the meeting.”
He also dismissed Mohan's claims that he has been cleared by the police and the MACC over the matter. “Where is the proof?” asked Samy.
Meanwhile, another CWC member G Kumar Aman who was also present at the press conference urged Mohan to come clean over the fund transfer.