Muthupalaniappan's about-turn

By Gan Pei Ling
thenutgraph.com

	"I feel that Samy Vellu should be challenged in the interest of MIC, the Barisan Nasional and the [Indian Malaysian] community."

Former MIC vice-president Datuk M Muthupalaniappan, when he announced in November 2008 that he would challenge party president and former ally Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu for the March 2009 presidential nomination. (Source: MIC veteran to take on Samy, Malaysiakini, 11 November 2008)

	"It is the doing of Samy Vellu."

Muthupalaniappan, in an interview with Malaysiakini during the run-up to the party's presidential nomination, accusing Samy Vellu of being the cause of the Indian Malaysian community's problems today.

He said he believed the people were not against MIC, but were fed up with its leadership. (Source: Q&A: I'm not seeking revenge, Malaysiakini, 17 Dec 2008)

Muthupalaniappan managed to garner 53 nominations during the March presidential nominations but 48 were rejected for non-compliance with the party constitution and presidential election by-laws.

Hence, Samy Vellu, who obtained 455 nominations, retained his presidency for the 11th consecutive term.

	"...I feel that Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu is the right person to continue to lead the Indian [Malaysian] community by way of collective responsibility."

Muthupalaniappan said he would make peace with Samy Vellu three months after the March 2009 presidential nominations. (Source: Muthu makes peace with Samy Vellu, The Nut Graph, 8 June 2009)