The great wait for Samy Vellu’s exit continues

Themalaysianinsider.com,

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 – Is MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu leaving soon or staying on until May 2012 when his latest term as party leader expires?

That’s the question gripping the MIC today and is the subject of intense speculation among the party leadership as well as rank-and-file members.

The big question was “answered” by the Makkal Osai newspaper, allied with Samy Vellu’s long-time rival Datuk S. Subramaniam, which said in a Page Two story today that Samy Vellu would quit on May 15, quoting MIC sources.

makkal osai

The story did not say why on May 15 and the headline for the story also had a question mark.
The paper claimed his poor showing in the recent Hulu Selangor by-election was the main reason why Samy Vellu, who is in India and returning on Wednesday, was quitting.
Samy Vellu is possibly facing a minor rebellion in the MIC where there is a great deal of anger and frustration with him.
MIC vice-president Datuk S.K. Devamani told the Malay Mail yesterday that a leadership transition was necessary to capitalise on the Hulu Selangor by-election victory and momentum.
“The leadership succession must happen soon so that the party can regain the confidence of Indians,” he had said.
He said MIC leaders at a recent meeting had discussed the latest political turn of events in favour of the MIC following the success in the Hulu Selangor by-election. BN leaders too agreed it was time for more changes.
“If humans are afraid of changes or to make changes, the human race would then become extinct,” Devamani said.
But when The Malaysian Insider contacted Devamani to repeat the statement or explain further, he declined comment.
Pressure is mounting on all sides for Samy Vellu to exit now and not in 2012 and some of it is coming from Umno, sources said.
But the man who could go against Samy Vellu – party deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel – is unwilling to do so despite all kinds of demands from his supporters as well as others.
While his aides give all kinds of reasons why Palanivel is not taking out the dagger, the real reason probably is he lacks the clout to take on Samy Vellu, who is as yet unwilling to let go the party presidency despite holding it for over 30 years.
His tenacity has shocked ordinary Malaysians into asking: what more does he hope to achieve by staying on.
It is a question Samy Vellu himself cannot answer.
Despite all kinds of pressure Samy Vellu has refused to give a “firm date” to leave.
While talk is rife that Palanivel would be taking Samy Vellu on, Palanivel himself issued two statements in as many days denying the move and swearing loyalty to Samy Vellu.
“He is the last person to take on Samy Vellu,” a close Palanivel aide said. “Samy Vellu’s days are numbered. He will fall on his own weight. Why go and challenge him and spoil our chances.”
So the great wait for the “fall of Samy Vellu” continues with no top leader as yet willing to demand that Samy Vellu leave now and not in 2012.
Some in the MIC even suggest Samy Vellu will continue beyond 2012.



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The Malay Mail, May 03

MIC leadership change needed, says Devamany

Kharleez Zubin

Monday, May 3rd, 2010 

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC supreme council member Datuk K. Devamany feels the Indian-based party needs to further rejuvenate itself quickly, in light of the growing reacceptance by the electorate of the party and also Barisan Nasional (BN).
“More Indians are coming back to BN after witnessing genuine changes taking place under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.”
Among the changes needed to win back more support of voters would be some leadership changes too, said the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
"The leadership succession must happen soon so that the party can regain the confidence of Indians."
He said MIC leaders at a recent meeting had discussed the latest political turn of events in favour of MIC, following the success in the Hulu Selangor by-election and BN leaders too agreed it was time for more changes.
“If humans are afraid of changes or to make changes, the human race would then become extinct," he told
The Malay Mail in a telephone interview.
Commenting on party deputy-president Datuk G. Palanivel's appointment as senator today, Devamany said it was a precursor to more changes in MIC. Palanivel's was previously Deputy Minister in the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry from 1995 to 2008.
“I am encouraged by the move to make him a senator and I fully support him."