MIC boss nominated ex-aide for senatorship

By FMT staff

KUALA LUMPUR: While the rumblings continue over the MIC senatorship, another name has surfaced, giving it a new twist.

It appears that MIC president S Samy Vellu had nominated his former press aide and close confidant, E Sivabalan, 45, to fill the party’s first senate vacancy in January this year.

However, before his nomination could be endorsed by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, the post was given to MIC deputy president G Palanivel following a “horse-trading” between Samy Vellu and Najib just two days before nomination day (April 17) for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election.

Najib and Samy Vellu agreed that Palanivel would be made a senator and possibly a deputy minister, while MIC information chief, P Kamalanathan, would be the Barisan Nasional candidate for the by-election.

A source said although Sivabalan had to make way for Palanivel, he could still be considered for the second senate seat which fell vacant in April following the end of MIC treasurer-cum-lawyer G Logachitra’s term.

“However, this will depend on the prime minister who is expected to consult Samy Vellu over the party’s choice over the next few days.

“It could be between Sivabalan and MIC Youth chief T Mohan who was nominated for the April vacancy,” the source said.

Mohan’s candidacy is being disputed by Petaling Jaya Selatan division chairman V Subramaniam (better known as Barat Maniam) who had claimed that he was sidelined by the MIC president despite making his intentions known to Samy Vellu to be appointed a senator.

Mohan: I am focused on party work

The source said Sivabalan and Mohan had served the party and Samy Vellu in different capacities, and are being groomed to fill the party’s next generation of leaders.

“They are seen as future assets of the party and must be given the platform to play a more meaningful role,” the source said.

Sivabalan, who holds a double degree in political science and law, is now the press secretary to Human Resources Minister and MIC veep Dr S Subramaniam.

When contacted, Sivabalan declined to comment.

Yesterday, Mohan told FMT that he is concentrating more on party work than the talk on him being made senator.

“Let them make assumptions. I have no time to respond. As MIC Youth chief, I still have much to do,” he said, adding that he was not “chasing after the post”.

On the same note, he said if the prime minister and MIC president appoint him as senator, then he would deliver his best for the people.