Malaysian Politics in Chennai: I was only defending Malaysia's integrity, says Samy

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu yesterday denied "washing dirty Malaysian linen in Chennai".

He claimed he was merely responding to allegations by the leader of the banned Hindu Right's Action Force (Hindraf) P. Wathya Moorthy at the Seventh Pravasi Bharathiya Divas conference.

Wathya Moorthy had reportedly urged the Indian government to impose trade sanctions against Malaysia as a response to the alleged marginalisation of Malaysian Indians here.

In a statement yesterday, Samy Vellu challenged the assertions of an article in the New Straits Times which reported an open show of antagonism on foreign soil by both the MIC leader and opposition spokesperson Dr P. Ramasamy.

"I wasn't washing dirty linen in public. I was merely responding to allegations by Wathya Moorthy and clarifying issues pertaining to Malaysian Indians.
"I felt that it was my duty to explain and clarify the true situation, failing which, more confusion may arise and may even lead to trouble for Malaysia.

"All we did was defend the integrity of Malaysia from the attacks of irresponsible people. Surely this should not be construed as washing dirty linen in public."

He stressed that MIC only attended the conference to promote cooperation and networking among the Indian diaspora and to assist Malaysian Indians penetrate the Indian market.

"I am deeply disappointed that MIC's presence in Chennai was misconstrued."