Vell Paari: Writing on the wall for MIC boss

 

MIC director of strategy Vell Paari has urged MIC president G Palanivel to step down following the Pahang sultan's angry rebuke reported today.

Vell, who is the son of former MIC president S Samy Vellu, said Palanivel is mentally unfit for duty as environment minister and also unleashed a deluge of accusations against the latter's failures as party chief.

"We in MIC have long suspected that Palanivel has been suffering from a medical condition that unfortunately renders him unable to discharge his duties effectively," said Vell (left) in a statement today.

"Even when the sultan visited Cameron Highlands yesterday and during the previous incident, the MP was not present. This a violation of protocol and respect accorded to the ruler.

"It is common knowledge that the MIC president is absent minded and experiences bouts of severe fatigue.

"His condition had given room to some people to influence as well as exploit the president and dictate the direction of the party.

"This must end. The writing is on the wall," he said in a strong statement.

Vell said the sultan's remarks today were "most disheartening".

"Perhaps the time has come for the MIC president to retire from politics.

"This is not a plot to oust him but a case of simply stating the facts. And I am certain that my view is shared by many in the party," he said.

Najib's intervention regretted

Vell said his party had wanted to elect its president previously when his father Samy Vellu stepped down, "but the prime minister had intervened and decided otherwise".

"The PM's intention of preserving stability was noble but it has now become a problem," he said.

Vell warned that the party was in "dire need of rejuvenation and a dynamic leadership" to keep the party "relevant" in the face of the challenge that the country's changing political landscape poses.

"Some are even claiming of another major swing in Indian votes in the next GE towards the opposition and this includes disgruntled MIC members themselves."

Umno-linked daily Berita Harian today published the sultan's scathing criticism of Palanivel's inaction in the face of repeated landslides in his constituency, admonishing him of showing up only during election time.

Malaysian Indians Progressive Association (Mipas) secretary general SBarathidasan however said it was unfair to solely blame Palanivel.

He pointed out that land issues are the state government's responsibility and that the Pahang menteri besar should be answerable.

The tragedy has however seen a fierce blame game among members of the BN state's administration, dragging in even the Pahang palace.