As MIC delegates vote, Najib's call for change weighs on party

Datuk S. Subramaniam casting his vote. – Picture by Jack Ooi

By Baradan Kuppusamy- The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 – No Prime Minister has ever spoken so directly, so openly and so emotionally at a MIC general assembly or received such a spontaneous and sustained standing ovation as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak did today.

His speech sent out a strong signal for reform and change to the 1,500 delegates.

Najib drew huge applause when he said that “being popular in your own party is not good enough”.

“It is more important to be popular with the people,” he said in a clear reference to MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who sat fidgeting on the stage, his face in a permanent scowl.

“I have never heard such an open and direct exhortation for action coming from an Umno leader at an MIC assembly,” said veteran MIC delegate Datuk Seri V .K. Visvanathaan.

“The speech is an eye opener,” he told The Malaysian Insider. “This is his first MIC assembly as a Prime Minister and he went into the core of the issue immediately."

Najib talked about relevance – how the BN and the MIC can survive by being relevant and staying in tune with the people.

“I have KPIs for ministries, for government agencies and for GLCs,” Najib said.

“I have a KPI for the MIC - win back the support of the Indian community.”

He expanded on the theme: “Go back to the Indian people. Be humble, be courteous, work hard and regain their trust."

The speech comes hours before the delegates begin voting to pick either a “official” line up fielded by Samy Vellu or a change for the better team fielded by arch rival Datuk S. Subramaniam.

The speech, Subramaniam supporters say, is a clear signal for change.

“I don’t see how he can be more clear then this,” said S. Periasamy, managing director of the Makkal Osai newspaper which supports Subramaniam.

Supporters of Samy Vellu appeared taken aback.

“This speech and the strong signal for change and reform is unexpected,” said a supporter of Datuk G Palanivel.

“But we think the signal is directed at Samy Vellu and not Palanivel who is also for change and reform.”

Delegates have started voting and results are expected at about 7pm.