He congratulated Datuk G. Palanivel for retaining the post of MIC deputy president as well as the other MIC leaders, adding that the result was not surprising and had been expected.
"The result that was announced had been expected. There were no surprises although support for the other candidates was rather strong.
"Nonetheless, based on my speech this morning, I believe this is the beginning of their efforts to win the support and heart of the Indian community," he told reporters after attending a breaking of the fast and handing over of Hari Raya contributions at the Masjid Felda Chini 4, here today.
Palanivel defeated former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and former vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan in the MIC election today.
Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said the elected leaders must give their full concentration to ensure that the MIC could rise up again as a relevant party and subsequently support the BN particularly in areas where the Indian community formed the majority.
Asked to comment whether the result reflected the support for MIC president Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, Najib said: "The result was expected because of the nature of the MIC delegates."
Asked whether the result would cause a split among the MIC members, Najib said that the losers must accept the decision.
What was more important was solidarity in the MIC to face a bigger challenge, that is, to win the hearts of the Indian community, he said.
"What is important now is for the present leaders to meet the aspirations of the Indian voters. They must know the needs and requirements of the Indian community, must be prepared to do whatever it takes to win their support," he said.
Earlier in his speech, Najib said the national economy was expected to register positive growth in the fourth quarter of the year after registering negative growth during the first three-quarters of the year.
He said the various measures introduced by the government including the stimulus package worth more than RM67 billion and the commitment of the people had succeeded in realising the national economic recovery.
For example, Najib said, with the improved economy, Felda settlers would also receive more good news including a bonus if Felda succeeded to maintain its excellent performance.
He later presented Hari Raya contributions to more than 3,000 recipients including single mothers, senior citizens and orphans.
-- BERNAMA
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I Am Not Popular - Samy Vellu
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said on Saturday that he was not popular, and whatever he had done and was doing for the Indian community, was not aimed at becoming a popular leader.
"I am not popular...I do not work to become popular. I work for the people," he said when asked to comment on the speech by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when opening MIC's 63rd annual general assembly here.
In his speech, Najib reminded all Barisan Nasional (BN) component party leaders that it was pointless for them to be popular only among party members but not among the people, to the extent of losing their support.
Najib, who is BN chairman said, in a parliamentary democracy, the people had the absolute power and it was they who determine BN's fate in every election.
"I am not a man who want to be popular among the people. But I want to be loved by them (people) for my services and contributions," Samy Vellu said on the sidelines of the general assembly.
The former minister also said that the Indian community did not vote BN in the last general election because they were fed-up with BN and not with him.
"There was a blame...people said that during my time, they were fed-up with me...Indian community doesn't vote for BN. People are not fed-up with me but they were fed-up with BN," he said in rejecting the largely held view among Indian community and political observers in the country that he had failed to effectively champion the cause and aspirations and that he had overstayed as the party president.
"We cannot forget one important point...the Indian community was wounded for many years. No approaches by government to see what was the problem. Now they (the government) are very interested to see something done. If we had done it five, 10 or 15 years ago, what is happening today would not have happened," he said.
On the Key Performance Index (KPI) for MIC as stated by Najib -- to win back the Indian community's support for BN -- Samy Vellu said the party was already working on it.
-- BERNAMA
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Money Politics Did Me In - Subra
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- Datuk S. Subramaniam, who lost in his bid to regain the MIC deputy president's post, attributed money politics as largely contributing to his defeat.
He said, money was openly given, a minimum of RM300 to each delegate.
"I accept the defeat. It was very disappointing. I did not expect (the loss)," he told reporters.
Asked whether he would join another party or form a new political party, or what his next move would possibily be, the once long-time deputy president said: "I will take some time to think about it (next move).
Asked whether the prime minister's 'message' today was not heeded by the delegates, Subramaniam said: "I think the prime minister made an important call. I think the message got lost."
Asked to comment on the possible disciplinary action against him as he had been referred to the disciplinary board for making a statement on party elections held in 1977, Subramaniam said he was not bothered about it.
"I will know what to do," he said.
Meanwhile, many of Subramaniam's supporters were in tears. They vented their anger by shouting that money politics was the cause of the defeat and urged him to join other parties.
Meanwhile, another deputy presidential candidate, Datuk S. Sothinathan, said he accepted the defeat.
"Despite what the prime minister said this morning...delegates made their decision and nothing has changed," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Palanivel Urges MIC Leaders To Close Ranks
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel, who retained his position in the party at MIC's polls on Saturday, urged members, delegates and leaders to close ranks following a bitter 20-day election campaign period in the run-up to the election.
"We are one team which has to be united always...there should not be any infighting between us in the party," he said after being declared winner of the deputy president contest in the polls held at the Putra World Trade Centre.
Palanivel beat former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and outgoing vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan with a 82 vote majority in the election.
Thanking delegates who voted for him, Palanivel, who was former Women, Family and Community Development deputy minister, attributed his victory to the faith of delegates in him.
"The victory is also because I always emphasised on unity among members. This the delegates value," he added.
Meanwhile, the three "preferred candidates" of MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu also triumphed in the vice president race. They were Human Resource
Minister Datuk Dr. S Subramaniam, deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk S.K. Devamany, and Federal Territory deputy minister Datuk M. Saravanan.
Dr. Subramaniam when met by reporters thanked the delegates for the win and promised that he would work hard for the party and the Malaysian Indian community.
"I will not dissapoint them. I will carry out my responsibility and duties diligently," he said.
Devamany, meanwhile, said the line-up picked by delegates at this election was "the best team the MIC ever had" in years.
"We will work as a team to carry out the aspirations of the delegates", said Devamany, who was visibly delighted with the win.
Saravanan said while the party was ready to work for the people especially the Malaysian Indian community, the federal government too had to assist the party in this effort.
"We can't do it alone. We now need to win back the community. The Indian community must start trusting the government. And for this the government must be forthcoming with its assistance," he added.
-- BERNAMA
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