Barat Maniam’s office torched

The recently reinstated veteran alleges arson attack was the work of disgruntled MIC youth leader T Mohan.

PETALING JAYA: MIC Petaling Jaya Selatan division chief V Subramaniam’s service centre at PJS 1was badly damaged by a fire believed to have been caused by arsonists.

Subramaniam, better known as Barat Maniam, said he received a call from the police at 6.30am this morning about the incident.

Maniam, who is currently in India, said: “Police suspect the incident happened about 4am this morning. The padlocks on the main gate on the ground floor were cut by some persons.

“They then made their way up to my office on the first floor and lit up several tyres near the main door.”
Asked if he suspected anyone, Subramaniam alleged that MIC Youth leader T Mohan was behind the attack.
“And I’m sure some members from MIC Petaling Utama played a part in this as well,” claimed Maniam, who said he had also received death threats via his phone last Friday.

Subramaniam said that Mohan and his faction were unhappy with him over the fact that he had supported party president G Palanivel’s move to reinstate former MIC members into the party.

“Mohan’s faction is unhappy that we are bringing back former members into the fold. Some of the Youth wing members are trying to be gangsters,” he said.

I’ll sue him, says Mohan


Contacted later, Mohan rubbished Maniam’s allegation. “I feel sorry for him. I have no vendetta against this person, and even if I did, I will take him on directly and not go behind his back and set his office on fire.

“There is a political game going on, and this is probably part of their strategy, I don’t know. The bottom line is, I will not do something so stupid,” said Mohan.

Asked if he would consider taking legal action against Subramaniam, the MIC Youth chief said since he was implicated, replied: “Of course.”

“This is too much, he must prove his allegation. Even if someone sets my office on fire, and if I suspect an individual, I will not name him without having sound proof,” he said.

A check by FMT revealed the reception area of the first floor and its surroundings were badly damaged. However, two rooms near the main window of the first floor were slightly damaged.

An office-bearer of the PJ division, who claimed anonymity, said a tenant living on the second floor called the fire department after noticing smoke billowing from below.

He also said the CCTV on the ground floor had captured the entire incident despite the arsonists’ attempt to destroy the camera.

Subramaniam was reinstated by Palanivel in February after being sacked by former party president S Samy Vellu last year for tarnishing the party image.