'Umno booked venue for anti-Samy rally'

By Teoh El Sen - Free Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth chief T Mohan claimed that the Putra World Trade Centre hall to be used for this Sunday's official launch of the “Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu” (GAS) campaign was booked under Umno's name.
Mohan told FMT that his men had called up PWTC to check on the 2pm event.

“One of my men called up the person-in-charge of PWTC's Dewan Merdeka hall by the name of Mr Azwan, and this is what he told us.

"Usually when we book an event for MIC, it will be recorded under MIC. So I was surprised when I found out that it was done under Umno's name," he added, demanding an explanation from Umno.

However, Mohan said it could have been booked by certain individuals using Umno's name.

The Youth chief stressed that if it is indeed Umno which booked the hall, then MIC would have to review its position in the Barisan Nasional.

"But, if, and I say if, it is really Umno that is behind this, then it means that Umno is not working with us. And we Youth wing members will need to propose to the MIC CWC (central working committee) to decide whether MIC is still relevant in BN or not," he said.

A check by FMT later revealed that PWTC's event and sales department has an officer by the name of Nur Azwan Ghazali.

Probed on the booking, Nur Azwan refused to comment on the matter. Bernama later quoted Umno executive secretary Abd Rauf Yusoh as denying that the party had booked the hall.

On the Sunday gathering, Mohan said that he wants to know if the police will allow an “illegal gathering” to take place.

"If it is illegal then how come the police are allowing this? GAS is not an organisation or party. If a permit is given, then anyone can come up with some group called GUN, GUM or GAY... you are then setting a precedent," he said.

The Youth chief also dismissed his former deputy V Mugilan's claim that more than 7,000 people are expected to turn up for the gathering.

"His numbers don't mean anything. In politics, for example, an Anwar (Ibrahim) gathering can have thousands but not necessarily all of them are his supporters. I myself can bring 14,000 or 20,000,” he said.

He also dismissed Mugilan's claim of speaking for the majority, saying the latter was "nothing" and the group was simply "troublemakers".

Mugilan dares Samy to hold fresh polls
Meanwhile, Mugilan vehemently denied the charge that Umno was backing the GAS campaign and that he was acting upon the instruction of its leaders.

He also dismissed the questions raised in connection with the venue of the rally since PWTC also houses the Umno headquarters.

“PWTC is a public place. MIC holds its annual general meetings there. Why doesn't anyone ask about this?” he said.

Mugilan, who was sacked from the party last week, challenged Samy Vellu to hold a fresh presidential election, “if he dares”.

He is confident that the 74-year-old president of three decades would be trounced as Samy Vellu no longer commands the support he enjoyed in the past.

"Samy Vellu thinks he is MIC and MIC is Samy Vellu, but that's what he thinks. People down here are very angry now. Can he keep sacking everyone? Do you think all 600,000 members are supporting you? No, 90% do not support you," he said.

He also told FMT that there has been overwhelming support for GAS and he expects a massive turnout on Sunday.

"We are so powerful now. Momentum is high and nobody can stop this. It'll be more than 7,000. Leaders, who I will not be naming now, are calling me saying that I am doing the right thing.

“I can say that more than 60% of CWC members have contacted me and more than 60% of branch chairmen, too," he said.

Mugilan said the organisers are in the process of applying for a police permit.

"As for the venue, I have already booked and paid for it. It will be a peaceful gathering; there will  be no problems. This is a democratic country and we are just expressing our views,” he said.

Vell Paari a 'junior politician'
Responding to Samy Vellu's son Vell Paari labelling those who are calling for his father’s immediate resignation as “political assassins” hired by Umno, Mugilan flatly denied the link.

"They (father and son) are getting desperate because they are scared. Vell Paari is trying to divert attention away from his father.

“They're doing this because they don't have any options left, this is their last weapon. They are resorting to rumours," he said.

Mugilan continued to discredit Vell Paari, saying that he was just a "junior politician" who has no experience.

"What he is saying now is simply helping our cause. He does not know how sensitive it is to bring in other parties and now we have wider coverage because of him.

“He is indirectly putting his father down," he added.

Contacted later, Dang Wangi district police chief Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said he was aware of the gathering but is uncertain as to whether a permit has been obtained.

In a related development, the GAS blog showed (as at 7pm) 1,276 (93%) have voted "Yes" to a question on whether Samy Vellu should quit now while 89 (6%) voted "No".

A SMS written in Malay calling for people to join the Sunday gathering, to "save the Indian community from dictator Samy" is also being widely circulated.