The MIC polls on Saturday will decide the direction of the party and will be a test of Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's grip on the party going into his final term after 33 years almost unchallenged as the president.
A determined Samy Vellu has assembled his own team in incumbent deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel, who is defending his post, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, Datuk S.K. Devamany and Datuk M. Saravanan to clinch all the three vice-president tickets and any 23 of 27 candidates for the 23 seats in the central working committee (CWC).
Former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan, both of whom are going for the No. 2 post, and several other candidates have called for change and they believe that that can only be possible if Palanivel is defeated to weaken Samy Vellu.
The losses suffered by the MIC at the last general election could weigh on the balloting pattern.
This makes the election probably the most tense and most watched in the 63-year history of the MIC.
Campaigning officially ended at noon today but the wooing of the 1,464 delegates is expected to continue into the wee hours of tomorrow right until voting time.
A Selangor delegate who declined to be identified said MIC members and the Indian community in general wanted leaders who can boldly voice out the aspirations of the Indian community and also work well with other component parties so that the party would regain its respect.
Another Klang Valley delegate said the MIC faced the task of regaining the support of the Indian community.
"In the last general election, the MIC lost many seats because the community turned to vote opposition candidates," he said.
Party veteran and vice-president Datuk S. Veerasingham is for Samy Vellu's team. "Everyone wants to try the catchy word 'change' which has been used by (US president Barack) Obama. Samy Vellu's request to the delegates is to vote those he endorsed so that they can work with him," he said.
Universiti Putra Malaysia lecturer M. Neelamegham said that while change was the key word for most of the candidates, they had failed to focus on what type of change they were talking about.
He said whatever the change, emphasis must be on more opportunities for youth members and empowerment of MIC state leaders.
"Even until now MIC has come out with so much of planning, (but) they have to implement it and focus on their future programmes," he said.
Universiti Sains Malaysia senior lecturer M. Sivamurugan said that in making their decision, the delegates should look at the characters of the candidates and focus on the need to strengthen the party following the near wipe-out at the last general election.
"The changes are very important and should be drastic ... the party and members have to prepare for the next general election," he said.
Another attention grabber will be the race for the 23 CWC slots for which the president has endorsed 27 of the 63 contenders.
"This election is going to be a disappointment for Samy Vellu because many candidates who are not in his list will likely win," said a woman delegate.
Samy Vellu retained the top post unopposed in March for a record 11th consecutive term that will end in 2012.
Aspirants for MIC party posts are banking on the 'vote for change' theme which swept Barack Obama to power, to work for them as well at the MIC party elections this weekend.
All three deputy president candidates - incumbent, G Palanivel, former deputy president, S Subramaniam and current vice president S Sothinathan are campaigning on the platform for change.
The Tamil press is playing up the fact that party president S Samy Vellu is also chanting the change mantra to ensure his man G Palanivel wins the three-cornered contest.
The candidates have also taken their campaigns into cyberspace. Apart from Palanivel, the other two have their own websites to promote their cause.
Sothinathan's campaign site can be viewed herewhereas Subramaniam's site is here.
The impact of cyberspace was evident in the 2008 general election when Samy and almost all MIC reps were wiped out.
But he is still entrenched in the party. In MIC presidential elections, Samy retained his post uncontested when 48 of 53 nominations for his challenger M Muthupalaniappan was rejected by the elections steering committee.
Food for thought
Candidates for presidential elections must obtain a minimum of 50 nominations from branches.
Similarly there are currently four poll sites in relation to the elections. Though they might not have a bearing on the eventual outcome, it would serve to gauge the popularity of the candidates.
They are micelection2009.com, micpolls2009.com, micelections2009.com and micfuture2009.com
Since the party came close to being virtually wiped out in the March 8 general election, there are questions that delegates really need to ponder prior to casting their votes.
Is Indian community ready to embrace change?
In light of Samy's unprecedented 11th term in power, is it possible? If change is vital to MIC, why didn't Samy stay neutral, instead, he's promoting his preferred team.
If Palanivel and Subra wanted change, why did not they initiate or implement them when they were occupying the hot seat at different points in time, by making room for a younger breed to come to the fore?
Can there be changes if the MIC's No 1 and the same tired faces are still ruling the roost? The delegates this weekend have an onerous task.
In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, deputy presidential hopeful S Sothinathan defends himself against accusations of caste and money politics.
What happened between you and MIC president S Samy Vellu?
Actually there is no friction between us. What happened is that I understand the present change in the political scenario in the country after the March 8 elections. I think there is a need for a young and vibrant leadership in MIC. I think we need to embrace this change if we want to remain relevant to the community. On that basis, I told him (Samy Vellu) that I wanted to go for deputy presidency... and there was total agreement all this while. But in May, I didn't know there was a change in (his) mind... they wanted to remain neutral and remain as what they were (maintain status quo for deputy presidency)... which I feel would not help us anymore.
So I stood firm in my decision to go for number two... because a much more dynamic leadership has to be established for MIC to remain relevant. On that basis, I stood by what I felt was right. I think that is the correct thing to do at this moment. Because of that, they might not be very happy with my decision. But I am not really interested in that. Because I am more interested in staying relevant to the community, the party must be relevant, the leadership must be relevant. If that change cannot be brought about, I don't know where we are heading towards.
For a long time, it was said that you would be the appointed successor and the president was giving the same impression. Now that the situation has changed, do you feel betrayed?
I don't feel betrayed because in politics you must be brave enough to face anything. In politics, if you are fearful or very dependent on something, you will never succeed and you can never lead a community. We are talking about leading a community. When you are leading a community, when something unfavourable comes, you must accept it. It does not mean you must be dejected, you must move ahead with bravery and determination. In my case, I am not dejected because I take this as a greater challenge, and if I make it in this challenge, this is what is going to give me the real strength in politics.
You have always been seen as Samy Vellu's man. Do you believe you can stand on your own feet?
I am very determined and I feel very strongly about it. As I told you earlier, this is what is going to decide the future. If I can get the mandate, this is what will give me the real strength to lead the community and the party in future.
On the president's recent attack against you, that you are nothing without him, and that you speak with a forked tongue.
I don't practice this kind of politics. It has never been my style of leadership at all. Because I just speak what I feel is right. I don't speak one thing here and another thing there. That is not my way of campaigning. All the delegates (that) I have met will vouch for this. I have been very open to say what is my reason (for contesting)... it is purely to say what I can do for the party if they elect me. I don't smear anybody's campaign.
Why is he doing this then? His attacks have always been towards S Subramaniam, now suddenly he is focusing on you.
Only he will know why he is doing that. I remain focused on what I am doing because I am not going to be disturbed or distracted by what others are doing.
Do you feel hurt by his attacks?
In politics, you got to face all these things. You can't be too sentimental about it. You have got to be practical about things.
How are your proposed reforms different from that of your rivals? Even Samy Vellu is talking about change.
My question is very simple. They have all been there in this position. What change have they brought? I am asking them (the delegates) to give me a chance (to change things). When you talk about change, for 25 years they have been there as deputies, they couldn't bring this change. Give me the opportunity to bring about the change. When someone who has been there for such a long time, I mean at this particular stage in life, to talk about change, I really don't understand what (that) change is all about.
Change means, change for the better. If there is a transition, if someone comes to take up the leadership, they should have the age with them. Not someone who is about to retire, comes into politics, and says 'I want to lead this community'. A man's most productive period is in the range of 45 to 60... and that is what I say, let us believe in that. Let us believe in a man's productive period... and not those who have gone past those times, and come back to say 'I want to bring about change'. You must have the physical strength and mental strength to lead a community, not just the wish to do it, but also the stamina.
So you are saying that your rivals have 'missed the boat' to bring about change
See... Samy Vellu became president of MIC at the age of 44. You can see the kind of changes that he brought into the party. The kind of enthusiasm...it was really great. Look at (Barack) Obama at the age of 47. I mean for being a black, everyone thought he would not do well but he is doing a fantastic job. Because they have the courage and determination and also the physical and mental strength to carry out what they feel, to carry out their vision. This is what is necessary.
How do you rate your chances, going against two heavyweights?
We are talking about a new leadership. To remain relevant, the society looks for young leadership. Given my advantage in those areas and given my experience, I am sure these will be advantageous for me. They (his rivals) have been in that position (deputy president) and people can see what they have done, and at the same time, I have been in the low position (vice-president), people can see what I have done. And they know my style of leadership, and the leaders on the ground can access what will be good for the party and community.
So you are saying that the delegates are mature enough to vote for change?
There are many things going on. There is a lot of intimidation, there are a lot of money politics, which I hear. Although I don't practise that, I do hear (about it). I am talking about change. I don't want to subscribe to all these. When I talk about change, I am talking about some new ways... people must genuinely support, then only we can lead this community. If there is no genuine support, then I think we are wasting our time.
Can you elaborate on the intimidation of delegates?
Sometimes when you go and see the delegates, they are threatened not to see us. A lot of things... when they express support, they come under intense pressure. All this is not good for the present generation, it will not look good in the eyes of the community.
On the issue of caste politics, you have been accused of campaigning along those lines?
Throughout the 49 years of my life, I have never been brought up in that manner. My family has never taught me all those things. I myself am not sure who belongs to which caste. I have never practised caste politics in my life. I do not know who belongs to which caste, unless they explain to me. I have never done that. Although many people who claim that (accuse him), are the ones who practise it, but they put the blame on others who are innocent. The public is the best to decide, the public knows who preaches caste and who preaches money politics.
I mean, one can go and say 'I don't do this, somebody else does this' but at the end of the day, each and every single individual in MIC and also the public knows as a matter of fact who preaches all these things.
Are you saying the president also does this?
Let the people decide, they are all informed about what is happening. I am not pointing at any individual.
Do you agree that the practice of caste politics is rampant in the party?
It rises during elections. This is not good for the party. When we talk about the Malaysian Indian Congress, I think we should represent all Indians irrespective of caste. I think our greatest challenge is that we don't work along caste lines. We should try to integrate and unite the Indians. If we talk about caste, we are not going to unite the Indian community forever.
It is said that caste politics is one of the factors that turn away the younger generation from MIC...
I would not say it is rampant. It surfaces during elections, you can see that it is rampant (only) during elections, and then it disappears but rises again during elections, people tend to go along those lines. It is not a healthy trend for us.
How do you eliminate caste politics?
I think it all comes back to the leaders. We should always avoid ourselves from this kind of political campaigns. We should just go on our own merits, 'What I can do', 'What kind of changes can I bring for the community' and 'How can I improve the lot of the community?'. If we go along those lines, we can revamp.
There is also the perception that you are 'tainted' with regard to the Telekom shares issue scandal. How do you think this negative perception will affect your chances?
This is an issue which arose in 1991/92. It is now almost 18 years. After nine years (following the issue), I came into politics, I was the political secretary (to Samy Vellu), I became a member of parliament, where I won (the Teluk Kemang parliamentary seat) by a majority of over 5,000 votes in the by-election, I became the secretary-general of the party, thereafter in the 2004 general election, I won with an 18,000 vote majority, I was promoted to a deputy minister, I also won the (MIC) elections as vice-president. And when election comes, there are no other issues, and they try to plant things and create issues out of nowhere and try to taint somebody's image. This is very unbecoming of present politics.
I think one must go on one's own merits. I have a first class honours degree in business administration from University Malaya, I don't think any other Indian has achieved that yet. I also have a second (class) upper degree from University of London in law. Colleagues of mine have done well in their lives, I have sacrificed my whole life for the public, and today when I see these kind of things, I am sure many other youngsters or professionals will never want to engage in public life (by entering politics). But still I take it as a challenge.
Let people say what they want, the public knows what is right and what is wrong. They know about my integrity, I will go on that. I will go on public perception, not on individuals' lies which is being spread around. When you don't agree, they come and taint you and you are a useless man, when you agree, you are a great man.
It is wrong to say that it is an individual perception, to a certain degree, it is the public's perception because of your association with the matter.
Those things have been answered and cleared. People are now trying to bring back the same issue, just to tarnish one's image. This is a smear campaign that is going on. I have gone so far in politics, today you can see how organised my campaign is, so the only way (for his detractors) is to smear one's name. I am not going to smear anybody's name. I am going to go on a very clean campaign and go on merits.
If people believe in me, believe in the change, if they support me, I will do what is necessary for the community. If they are going to believe in this smear campaign, there is nothing much I can do for them.
Critics are saying that it is not the second tier, but change is only possible if the president steps down.
He has indicated that after these elections, he will give way to whoever is elected. This is known to everybody.
But now he is saying that he might stay on...
That has to be decided by the MIC members. If we don't embrace change, we have to face the consequence of it. I firmly believe in that. You can deny, but you cannot run away from that fact.
Do you perceive him as a stumbling block?
It all depends at the end of the day. The decision has to come from the members or the delegates. They have to make the bold decision. If they want to remain relevant, they have to be brave enough to make the decision. If they don't want to, I think nobody can change our destiny.
Based on the feedback, do you think the delegates are 'brave' enough to make the change?
I am very confident about that.
The president has already named his preferred choice. If someone else wins, will it create further divisions like what is happening in MCA?
The problem that we are facing now is the perception of the community. It is not the problem over the choice of one individual. It is the community's perception that we have pay heed to. If we don't do that, we have to face the wrath of the community.
You can go down to the community and find out what is their preference, what they expect. Remember, at the end of the day, it is the community that makes the party, it is not the top leaders that make the party. If the community says it wants this and that, and if we don't pay heed to that, we are gone.
Going back to the earlier question, if you win the deputy presidency, and you have all these ideas for change but a president who disapproves of your presence there. Would this not be a stumbling block?
The president cannot disapprove when the choice is made by the delegates. It has to be accepted. That is what leadership is all about.
But would he not make it difficult for you...
No, no, no... one man cannot deny the decision of the majority. How can that happen, no way... let it be any of the three (who is elected). It has to be accepted. If you cannot accept it, then you can't be a leader.
Critics say that MIC's glory days are over and it cannot regain lost ground. Do you agree with this?
I think we are on the verge of that. That is why I am talking about change. If we are not prepared to embrace change, we must face the serious consequences. The community is expressing a lot of interest in the MIC elections, they are looking forward to how these elections is going to take place, what will happen. This is what is going to give them hope or... these elections are very crucial to MIC.
Some say that this (your decision to contest) was orchestrated...
Let me make this very clear. There is no orchestration. I have made a very clear, a very bold decision, I am going for broke. Either I make it or I forget about it. There are no two ways about it.
If you are defeated, what will be your next plan?
I think the best is, whoever wins, led them lead the party. I am not going to get involved, and be a nagging point.
Will you quit politics?
That, I will decide after Sept 12.
So this is a 'do or die' battle?
Yes, for me it is definitely a 'do or die' battle. My intentions are very clear, very sincere. I have all my positions in the party, but I have made this bold decision to go for broke simply because I believe change is inevitable. I believe in this change (for MIC) to remain relevant. Only then is there meaning to my existence in MIC. If that doesn't happen, I don't think there will be any meaning to my existence in MIC...
Did the president try to talk you out of it?
Nobody tried to talk me out of it. As a matter of fact, they know when I make a decision, I stand firm by my decision.
Was the president surprised by your decision?
No. He knows that I have made a decision. I think he knows very well about the whole situation. I am very surprised by his late decision to put back his choice of candidate.
Was it a wise choice? How do you rate his line up?
I wouldn't want to do any rating because I only have one vote to cast like any other delegate. Let us look at the wisdom of the delegates.
Critics also say that Barisan Nasional component parties, including MIC, are too subservient to Umno. Do you think this attitude must change?
In politics one has to speak without fear or favour. You must speak your mind. If you feel something is right, you must stand by it... when you feel something is not right, you must be able to speak up. There should not be any fear or favour... because in politics, we are there to determine the future of the community. Every single decision that you make, affects the public. We must speak without fear or favour, and do not look at the feelings of one or two individuals in any particular group. That is the best approach... I do not want to dwell on the past, let me look at the future.
Since the 2008 elections, has the re-branding exercise of MIC brought about any change or has the party remained stagnant?
I think we are going through a very crucial test now. That will be answered by the delegates. Rather than me answering that, I will leave it to the delegates to answer (in the elections). They will be able to give an indication as to whether we paid heed to the calls for changes.
There is also the perception that the rot is far too entrenched from top to bottom in MIC. Will the members be willing to embrace the change or is the party in need of a complete overhaul?
They have to. My personal opinion is that we have to embrace change.
If one day you become the president, how different will the party be?
You will see that for yourself. Believe me.
Some have accused you of money politics?
I don't have money, I have not been in any employment since the March 8 elections. I have devoted my time to the activities of MIC. Since March 2008, I have been at the MIC headquarters virtually everyday, working for the party... at that moment, all these so-called people were never there. Nobody was there, everyone abandoned MIC. They all believed that was the end of it. But now when elections come, everybody is there. When I was busy campaigning, people say I don't turn up at MIC. The last three months, I have been busy campaigning but before that, every other day, MIC leaders and the public know that when they come to the MIC headquarters, I am always there to serve them.
This is what people should look at, I never ran away from my responsibilities. Despite having professional qualifications, despite being admitted to the Bar, I can always go back and do something on my own. But I was not interested because I owe an obligation to the community, to the party, where I held various positions. Just because I lost the general election, lost my government post, it means that I can run away, abandon this party and go? I stood firm by the party, through thick and thin I was there to make sure that things go very well and that we can bounce back. You can see whether others did it or not.
It was speculated that you were there every day in lieu of the promise that you would be named by the president as his preferred candidate.
No. It was not a promise. But I felt there was an obligation on me that when the party is going through a crisis, when most of its members of parliament and state assemblymen have lost their positions, you think it is wise for me to abandon the party and look after my own fortunes... I felt there was a serious obligation to work for the party at that difficult time and I did that wholeheartedly. Although I did go through a lot of difficulties in my personal life, I never shirked away from my responsibilities.
On the possibility of joining the opposition if you do not succeed...
I am very confident about winning this elections. I believe that change will take place. Change is the only way forward. It will take place. So let me stay focused on that.
www.malaysiakini.com (7/9/2009) Sothi: Change is a task for the young, not old Fortes fortuna adiuvat is an antiquated Latin adage which suggests that the Goddess of Fortune smiles on those who are courageous.
And when dawn breaks this Saturday, S Sothinathan will be hoping that the celestial being smiles for him when on the terrestrial plane, some 1,400 MIC delegates decide his fate on Sept 12.
Those who know him well say that he is ambitious, but others did not expect this man of few words to do it and they thought he lacked the guts, but he has proved the doubters wrong.
While the pundits debate on whether it is a wise move or simply political suicide, the father of three however has no regrets about having cast the dice.
But why did he do it?
Because there is no room for sentiments in politics, declares Sothinathan, who also stresses that it is not an art for the faint-hearted.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Barack Obama, he firmly believes that change is inevitable if MIC is to remain alive.
Rivals have missed the boat
And why should the delegates pick him?
Because just like the American president and unlike his rivals G Palanivel and S Subramaniam, who are in their sixties, the 49-year-old politician feels that age, strength and stamina are on his side.
He mercilessly drives the point home when it is pointed out that the other two contenders are also talking about transformations.
As far as Sothinathan is concerned, the 'productive years' of man are between the ages of 45 and 60 and in that context, the duo, he agrees, have 'missed the boat'.
"My question is simple. They have been there in this position (deputy president). What change have they brought? For 25 years they have been there as deputies, they couldn't bring change..."
"When someone who has been there for such a long time, I mean at this particular stage in life, to talk about change, I really don't understand what (that) change is all about."
"If there is a transition, if someone comes to take up the leadership, they should have the age with them. Not someone who is about to retire..."
True enough, when Malaysiakini caught up with him at his seafront office in his hometown of Port Dickson last week, the former Teluk Kemang MP was full of vigour despite the intense campaign which has seen him criss-crossing the peninsular to canvass for votes.
'This is not orchestrated'
However, his decision to contest for the deputy presidency has irked his mentor, the formidable MIC president.
Stopping just inches from outrightly calling him an ingrate, a slighted Samy Vellu later accused his protege, with whom it is said he shared a father and son relationship with, of deceiving him and reminded the latter that he is what he is because of him.
But Sothinathan shrugs this off with a smile, saying: "Actually, there is no friction between us."
According to the outgoing MIC vice-president, Samy Vellu was initially receptive to the idea of him ascending the party hierarchy. "But come May, there was a change in (his) mind."
Unperturbed by the feathers he may have ruffled, Sothinathan says: "I am not interested in that. I am more interested in the party remaining relevant..."
Is he hurt or discouraged by the president's attack? Not at all. "In politics, you've got to face all these things. You can't be too sentimental about it. You got to be practical about things."
He also stresses that 'unlike the others', he did not abandon the party following its near fatal electoral whipping last year, which also robbed Sothinathan of his MP title.
Prior to the president endorsing the incumbent Palanivel for the post, speculation was rife that Sothinathan is on track to being named the anointed successor. But soon rumours of a tiff began to circulate.
Still there are those who refuse to believe that the challenge is for real.
Some claim that it is a mere charade to break the votes for the president's former deputy and nemesis S Subramaniam, and once the contest is over, the duo will kiss and make up. And a new master plan will be put into work.
Sothinathan however rubbishes this claim.
"Let me make this very clear. There is no orchestration. I have made a very clear, a very bold decision, I am going for broke. Either I make it or I forget about it. There is no two ways about it."
In view of this, the former deputy minister says the focus is on his bid to vanquish the president's choice and the president's foe. And the underdog is confident of sinking his teeth on the coveted prize.
'President has to accept the victor'
On the possibility of the embattled party being plunged into further crisis if Samy Vellu does not accept his victory should the delegates vote for him, Sothinathan puts it bluntly: "One man cannot deny the decision of the majority."
He stresses that the president has to acknowledge the victor irrespective of who he is. "If you cannot accept it, then you can't be a leader."
Responding to critics who accuse MIC of being too subservient to Umno, Sothinathan vows to speak without fear or favour when it comes to defending the community.
"You must speak your mind. If you feel something is right, you must stand by it... when you feel something is not right, you must be able to speak up."
In 2005, he did just that and caused a stir when he erupted in Parliament over the government's de-recognition of a medical university in Ukraine which has a sizable population of Indian Malaysian students.
Although the incident boosted his popularity in the community, it however earned him a three-month suspension as deputy minister. His crime: not toeing the party line.
But Sothinathan, who holds a first class honours degree in business administration apart from being a qualified lawyer, is not without controversy either.
The alleged hijacking of nine million Telekom shares in 1992 continues to be a Sword of Damocles, and although the then Anti-Corruption Agency cleared Samy Vellu of any wrongdoing, Sothinathan has never been able to scrub himself clean off the 'taint' for his alleged role in the scandal, which continues to be the most potent weapon in his detractors' arsenal.
When quizzed on this, he dismisses it as a smear campaign.
"Those things have been answered and cleared. People are now trying to bring back the same issue, just to tarnish one's image. This is a smear campaign that is going on."
'I have never practiced caste politics'
Sothinathan also strongly denies the accusation of playing the caste card with the hope of striking a royal flush in this poker game of high stakes.
"I have never practised caste politics. I have never been brought up in that manner. My family never taught me all those things."
Describing the ongoing campaign as being replete with the politics of money and fear, which he claims to be innocent of, the MIC leader says the fingers which point at him belong to the chief perpetrators of caste politics themselves.
"One can say 'I don't do this, somebody else does this' but at the end of the day, each and every single individual in MIC and also the public know as a matter of fact who preaches all these things."
Asked if the president is also guilty of this, he quickly adds: "Let the people decide, they are all informed about what is happening. I am not pointing at any individual."
While MIC leaders do not openly admit it, caste is an important factor in determining the office bearers and by virtue of being 'Gounders' both Sothinathan and Subramaniam are banking on the same votes.
On how different MIC will be if he becomes president some day, a confident Sothinathan smiles, and says: "You will see that for yourself. Believe in me."
The intense battle for positions during the MIC elections, has switched into another mode, this time its the cyberspace on the internet.
At least four websites have appeared overnight conducting online polls to pick candidates tipped to win posts at stake in the party elections slated for Sept 12.
While identity of those conducting the polls remains a mystery, these websites were conducting online polls to pick the deputy president and three vice-presidents of the 62-year-old MIC.
At the party election, a total 1,464 delegates would cast their votes to pick a deputy president, three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee members.
The deputy president's race would be a toss between incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel, former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan.
A total of seven candidates are vying for three vice-president seats and they are Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk S.K. Devamany, Federal Territories deputy minister Datuk M. Saravanan, businessman Datuk S. Balakrishnan of Johor, Datuk V.K.K. Teagarajan of Kuala Lumpur, former MIC Selangor Youth secretary P. Subramaniam and P. Mariayee from Negeri Sembilan.
Party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who won the MIC top post for a record 11th consecutive term in March, this year at the presidential election, has endorsed Palanivel for deputy presidency and Dr Subramaniam, Devamany and Saravanan as his preferred veeps.
Short-messaging-system (SMS) is being used to inform Malaysian Indians that there were such polls being conducted online, telling them to vote to pick the new party line-up, which has about 630,000 members.
So far four sites have gone online and they can be accessed at www.micelection2009.com, www.micpolls2009.com, www.micelections2009.com and www.micfuture2009.com.
Of the four, two website's polls has Palanivel in the lead while another has Subramaniam as the leader but the fourth (micfuture2009.com) could not be accessed due to heavy traffic.
The micpolls2009 site indicates that Palanivel had polled 69 percent, Subramaniam and Sothinathan (14 percent each) while micelections.com polls has Palanivel in the lead with 57 percent, Subramaniam (30 percent) and Sothinathan 13 percent.
The micelection.com poll however gives a massive lead for Subramaniam with 59.3 percent, Palanivel 13.6 percent and Sothinathan 27.2 percent.
As for the vice presidents' race, Dr Subramaniam leads in all three polls by micpolls.com, micelections.com and micelection with 35 percent, 34 percent and 66.7 percent; Devamany has 23 percent, 22 percent and 65.3 percent while Saravanan has 19 percent, 19 percent and 34.7 percent respectively.
Balakrishnan (14, 16 and 36.1 percent), Teagarajan (7, 8 and 30.6 percent) Mariayee (2, 1 and 9.7 percent) and Subramaniam (1, 1 and 12.5 percent) respectively.
Most of these websites would close polling on either Sept 9 or Sept 10 with results expected to be released to the media a day ahead of polling on Sept 12.
MIC deputy president hopeful Datuk S. Sothinathan has burnt his bridges with party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
The former vice-president, who fell out of favour with the party supremo, said he did not need the latter's help in his bid for the No. 2 post.
"What is important is not the acceptance of one man but that of the thousands of members. The support of the majority should be the criterion, not just that of one man."
Sothinathan said he had been accepted by the grassroots "and that's what true leadership is all about".
He said Samy Vellu should not impose his personal wishes on delegates but should rather respect their wishes as to whom they wanted to represent them.
Sothinathan, a one-time Samy Vellu favourite whom many thought would go on to the top post in the party, got on the wrong side of the party chief when he ignored his advice not to contest the deputy president's post in party polls on Sept 12.
The contest will see a three-cornered fight between incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel, former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and Sothinathan.
Sothinathan denied that he was a "one-man show" and that he would go it alone after the elections and would not work with other leaders.
"Whoever wins will have to form a team and work together with others. That is the only way to preserve the party and avoid division."
On Samy Vellu's claims that he had vilified his opponents, Sothinathan said that was not his style.
"When I see delegates, I do not bother about whom they are aligned to.
"I tell them what I want to do, my aspirations and visions. I don't speak about any particular individual and I don't want to do that to rise in politics."
He said Samy Vellu should stay above the fight for the deputy presidency and let the three contenders thrash it out among themselves.
"After all, it is the contest for the deputy presidency. I don't know why he is taking it upon himself to get into the fray."
He reiterated that he was not planted by Samy Vellu to split Subramaniam's votes.
"No one can plant or buy me. I have my own independent path. These are campaigns from the opposite camp to confuse delegates."
Samy Vellu had said on Thursday that he was severing ties with Sothinathan and would not accept him back for going against his wishes in contesting for the No. 2 post.
But based on the past, it may only be a matter of time before Samy Vellu does take him back as he did with former Youth leader S.A. Vigneswaran and Negri Sembilan leader Datuk M. Muthupalaniappan.
The MIC supremo has not endorsed him for the party’s No. 2 post, yet vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan is confident that his track record and the delegates’ desire for change will spur his chances of winning in the Sept 12 party polls.
“I don’t believe in such endorsements. I think it is better to be endorsed by the delegates.
“It is better to go (campaign) on one’s merit and strength,” he told The Star.
He feels his “good track record” as party secretary-general for six years and vice-president since 2006 will stand him in good stead with the delegates at the general assembly.
Sothinathan, 49, also believes that the desire for change and his “relative” youth would prompt delegates to cast their votes in his favour.
“I’m mature enough politically, have the necessary experience, and am young enough to have the energy needed to serve the community and take it forward,” he said.
Sothinathan, who filed his nomination papers for the deputy president’s post, is up against incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel and former long-term deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam.
Party president for 28 years, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who won the president’s post uncontested in April, has endorsed Palanivel for the No. 2 post.
Sothinathan said the delegates’ feedback on his nationwide campaign since May 31 showed that they wanted to make independent decisions instead of being “guided” by such endorsements.
“Endorsements (by party president) are (a practice) of the past; the present is different,” he said, adding that strong winds of change were blowing, as reflected in last year’s general election.
Sothinathan said that, far from being upset, the lack of endorsement by Samy Vellu had spurred him to be independent.
While he was quick to express his gratitude to Samy Vellu for his endorsements in the past, he pointed out that the current political scenario had nudged him out of his comfort zone.
“Our greatest challenge now is the younger generation who have a different mindset, an anti-establishment (way of) thinking. They want leaders who will speak up for their rights,” said the father of three teenagers.
The economics and law graduate has pledged to have a 10-year economic plan drawn up, complete with blueprint for education, employment and business opportunities to increase the Indian equity from the current 1.1% to 3%.
“The Indian community is lagging behind all the other communities and needs more help. I hope to deliver,” he said.
MIC vice president Datuk S. Sothinathan said he will not withdraw from contesting the deputy president's post at the party elections on Sept 12.
"I will contest the post as I have been campaigning since announcing the intention on May 30," he told Bernama when commenting the decision by MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to back Datuk G. Palanivel in defending the No 2 post.
Samy also backed Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam (secretary-general) Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan (information chief) and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk K. Devamany for the three vice-presidents post.
Sothinathan, 49, a former MIC secretary-general and Member of Parliament for Teluk Kemang said he was confident delegates would vote wisely adding every member has the right to contest.
Samy Vellu Endorses Palanivel To Defend MIC Deputy Presidency
PUTRAJAYA, July 15 (Bernama) -- MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said on Wednesday he has endorsed incumbent deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel to defend the party's No. 2 post at the MIC elections on Sept 12.
Speaking to Bernama in a telephone interview, Samy Vellu also said that he had endorsed Human Resource Minister and MIC secretary general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, Deputy Federal Territories Minister and MIC information chief Datuk M. Saravanan and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk S. K. Devamany for the three posts of vice-president.
The MIC elections on Sept 12 is for one post of deputy president, three posts of vice-president and 23 posts of Central Working Committee (CWC) member.
At the presidential election in March, Samy Vellu won the post of president, uncontested, for the 11th term.
Palanivel has announced that he would defend the No. 2 post at the party general assembly, which would be attended by 1,400 delegates.
Former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and incumbent vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan have also announced their intention to contest the deputy presidency.
Many leaders have announced their intention to contest the posts of vice-president. Two of the incumbent vice-presidents are Sothinathan and Datuk S. Veerasingham. Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar quit as vice-president last year after a tiff with Samy Vellu but both leaders have patched up since.
"I want to announce that I am endorsing Datuk G. Palanivel for the No. 2 post because he is a very efficient, strong and simple man of the people. I hope members and delegates will throw their support behind him for continuity.
"I want a team which will deliver and strengthen the party and, as such, I am also endorsing Dr Subramaniam, Saravanan and Devamany for the three vice-president seats," Samy Vellu said.
On the three whom he had endorsed for the posts of vice-president, he said all three were holding government positions and, as such, were in a good position to better serve the Indian community.
Samy Vellu also said that he was drawing up a list of candidates for the 23 CWC posts and that he would endorse "several new faces".
"I will announce the complete list soon. I am announcing my line-up now to inform members and delegates that this is the team that will manage the MIC business more effectively and take the party closer to the community," he said.
Samy Vellu also said that he had taken care of the party over the last 29 years and had built it from just 120,000 members to 630,000 members and from 700 branches to 3,300 branches nationwide.
"All this was possible through constructive team effort which I established amongst my top office bearers.
"I feel that as a leader I have a responsibility to hand over the party to the right person. I have been giving it a lot of thought during the last two months as to how I want to conduct the elections and I have concluded that I will support the team which will support the MIC for a better future," he said.
MIC vice president Datuk S. Sothinathan, 49, said Saturday he would contest the deputy president’s post in party polls in September.
He will face incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel, 58, and former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam, 65, who was deputy president for 25 years until he was ousted in 2006.
The former Natural Resources and Environment deputy minister and two term-vice president who had also served as political secretary to party president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu previously, said he had informed his boss of his decision to contest the post.
"I told him that it was time for us to rejuvenate the party and focus on regaining support from the Indian massess, particularly the young.
"I told him that I needed his support to reunite the Indians in MIC," he told reporters here.
Asked if Samy endorsed his candidacy, Sothinathan, who was party secretary general from 2000-2006, said he was told to think about it.
"He told me to think about it carefully. But he did not discourage me...I am sure I will get his blessings.
"I have reached a stage where I need to make a bold decision. I have been in the MIC from the day I graduated from Universiti Malaya. I have served the party for 25 years and I have no intention of doing anything else although there have been offers," said Sothinathan, who obtained a first class honours degree in Economics from UM and is a qualified lawyer.
Sothinathan, a two term Teluk Kemang MP said he was also confident of victory despite being up against Palanivel and Subramaniam.
Asked if he was breaking ranks with Samy Vellu, who had apparently endorsed Palanivel as his choice of deputy, Sothinathan said the party president was not as the party president would always remain his mentor.
"As far as I know, Samy Vellu has not publicly endorsed anyone. I have spoken to several party leaders, non-governmental organisations, friends and individuals and they have all given me their support.
"The last general election has taught us a lot. I have been thinking about this for the past 15 months. We need to rebuild the party...we must do it now.
"I have been hearing a lot about the split in the party...I can't see this anymore," he said.
Asked if he would form a team with those vying for the vice-presidency, Sothinathan, who served as Health Ministryt parliamentary secretray from 2000-20004, said he would not.
Samy Vellu after winning the presidential election uncontested in March, this year, had declared that this would be his last term and whoever picked as deputy president at the party election in September would takeover the leadership of the 630,000-member party after his retirement from active politics.
Q: You have been elected to an unprecedented 11th term as MIC president; that’s close to three decades in power. What can you do for the party and Indian community now that you couldn’t before?
A: One cannot deny the fact that Indians have excelled in many fields but there remains a section of the community who are still not out of the poverty zone. This has been my main concern. I have dedicated my entire life to the Indian community. Never a day goes by without an Indian problem to be solved. This list of problems is beyond our wildest imagination. I still feel I have the zeal, energy, commitment and love for the party and community. I feel I can still contribute effectively to the Indian community.
I was raised in an estate, we were estate workers’ children and encountered so many problems in our lives. So being MIC president, I always wanted to alleviate their problems.
Your defeat in the general election last year was seen as the end of your rule. But you remain MIC president. What was it like being defeated in Sungei Siput?
A: On the day the election results were to be announced, my friends told me that I had lost. I thought, well, the people gave it to me, now they are taking it back.
If you ask me how I feel, it is this: when I was in the Government, I had the muscle to do whatever I wanted for the community. But as MIC president, I can only listen to the people and run around to get things done. In the past, I could just pick up the phone, speak to a minister and get things done. What was shocking to me was that having served 29 years, almost day and night, a bunch of people came around and said you have done nothing. They kept saying that to impress upon the minds of the people that I had actually not done anything.
The statement by Dr Mahathir who came out openly the day before the general election to say that I had not done anything shocked me. It affected me very badly. I lost the Malay and also the Indian support. As a media man, even you know that we raised so many issues and talked about so many problems.
You sprang back with one more victory speech after being returned unopposed as MIC president last month. But many are saying that you are not the person who should, or even can, lead the MIC out of its predicament.
My very humble conclusion is that many right persons who held office did not actually do their jobs well. Here, there is one wrong person who has assumed the responsibility and done his best for the community. Sometimes, you have a very qualified person who takes the chair, but nobody knows if he would have the time to mingle with the ordinary people, to listen to their cries like I have.
You are one of the hardest hitting persons in Malaysian politics. Now, you’re at the receiving end. The question being asked is this: is the MIC still representative of the Indian community with you as the party head?
Life is give and take. There are times you keep on giving and times when you keep on taking. When you keep on taking for sometime, you will again go back to keep on giving (laughs).
You’re not just suffering from bad press. Malaysian Indians, in fact Malaysians in general, are saying the same thing – that you should go.
Yes, very good. But it is the party that decides. Even if I wanted to contest, the party could have said no and I would have left. But there are multiple requests for me to stay on – for party unity, for the strength of the party and also because I am one person who can understand the community very well compared to any other leader. And number four, because I am someone who has been with the community all along.
These are certain qualities I have maintained in my leadership. Today, if I were to call for a conference to say “It is time to go”, let us see how many people will say “all right, get out.” People talk about age, but this country has seen people like Mahathir who stayed on until 78. I am only 73, I can still put in another five or six years. But I don’t want to because I think other leaders are on the way up.
But the worry now is that the MIC is not better off today than it was a year ago when your party was thrashed in the polls.
Did MIC lose because it is the MIC or because it is in the BN (Barisan Nasional)? There was a nationwide wave against the Barisan and MIC was among the victims. In the past during an election, I could easily get between 75% to 80% of the Malay votes. Today, I can’t. The mind of the Malay voters of the past is different from that of Malays today. Similarly, the mind of the Indian voters. But the mind of the Chinese voters is still the same. There is no change. They already indicated sometime back that they would not vote (for the BN).
Apart from your rebranding exercise of the MIC, what concrete proposal have you made to regain Indian support for the MIC and the Government?
After the rebranding exercise, we have to a great extent changed the mindsets of the leaders. Many of them were down after the general election. They were wondering whether there is a future. Through the rebranding exercise, I told them that there is a future. They were wondering whether I would still serve the people. I told them, you just adapt yourself to the new needs of the people. That is the rebranding. I told them to change their style and approach so that the people would like them. It is a matter of time.
I go back to your unopposed victory as party president. If the contest had been allowed, we could have known your influence in the party. By what margin were you expecting to win?
If there was a contest, there would have been 300 people who would have voted against me out of 3,600 delegates. We have now identified, that in the nomination, many of the proposers’ signatures (for challenger Datuk M. Muthupalianappan) were falsified. They have written in to say that it was not their signatures, that someone had forged it. About 60 people have complained that they signed for me first and then their signatures were forged (in favour of Muthupalaniappan). About 10 others who did not sign at all found their forged signatures on the forms. The MIC headquarters is investigating this.
It was recently reported that the MIC wanted to withdraw its minister and two deputies . The reports did not attribute it to any source but it had to come from you as it was a serious matter. Was it just a PR stunt by the party, or were you angry at being left out of the Cabinet despite being returned as MIC president?
I am not at all angry at being left out of the Cabinet because I do not wish to be in the Cabinet. Everyone else asked for a Cabinet (seat), but I have not. Because I feel that I have served 29 years as minister and also because a younger person is holding the Cabinet post for the MIC. And we have two new deputy ministers. I will not fit into the new Cabinet. The difference in age is paramount.
But you would have accepted a Cabinet post had you won in the general election last year?
If I had won, it’s a different issue. I lost so I should take it that it is the end of my career ... as a minister.
When you first won the MIC presidency, you proclaimed “education, education and education” as the only way for the Indians to overcome their plight. So you pioneered the setting up of Vanto Academy, Tafe College and AIMST (Asian Institute of Medical Science and Technology), but these institutions have been mired in controversy, with the quality of education also questioned.
All three institutions did not suffer from quality of education. The doctors who qualify from AIMST are said to be the best because we pay so much attention to recruiting some of the top overseas professors. The controversy created by some people is about the cost of the university. They said the RM220mil cost had ballooned to RM435mil (laughs).
They don’t understand that RM220mil is for phase one, which includes all the faculties. Phase two includes the student hostels. And then another phase which includes staff quarters and a stadium. There are phases in the university. Our original estimate was RM520mil but we finished the project at RM424mil. We did not call tenders for another RM16mil because we thought it was unnecessary.
Your critics say that it is the non-MIC educational efforts, like that of the Sri Murugan Centre, which has been effective in uplifting the Indian community’s education. Datuk Devamany, one of your deputy ministers, is a product of the centre. You agree?
The Sri Murugan Centre has benefited the community but only to a certain extent. In Tafe College, 43,000 students have graduated as para professionals since its inception in early 1985. And MIED (Maju Institute for Educational Development) has given 14,600 people about RM100mil (in total) to study and some are still studying. Now, we have created a great university (AIMST). No Indian outside India owns a university, it is only in Malaysia. We have 3,000 students there. All the students produced by Sri Murugan Centre will eventually end up in universities such as AIMST.
Indian ownership of equity lags between 0.9% and 1%, although the grand plan of the MIC was to hit 10% by 1990. You have called for government intervention to increase Indian equity to 3%, but many say only the rich Indians will be enriched. Any justification in such claims?
It (Indian ownership of equity) has actually gone down from 1.5% to 1% because nothing concrete was done by the Government to raise the economic status of the Indians. But they take a lot of steps for the others, but not for the Indians. This matter was raised in the Special Cabinet Committee for the Indians, and they agreed to a certain extent that there should be some allocation purely for the Indians. For the PNB to buy the shares and later deduct (share price paid) from whatever they make. But I don’t see any change. Whatever discussed did not materialise. You don’t expect an Indian to go and buy shares for RM60,000 or RM100,000. For an ordinary Indian to hold some equity for himself and his future, he should be assisted by the Government like how the bumiputras are being aided.
But will 3% of the pie merely enrich the already rich Indians in the country, and not the poor Indians in need of help?
Our request first was to specifically look at the poor. That 20,000 shares (each) be given only to those in the lower income group. We are still working out how to do it.
Maika Holdings, that’s the albatross around your neck. You have not told us how you plan to return the lifesavings of the many poor Indians who invested in the scheme.
I formed Maika Holdings. I ran around the whole country and collected RM100mil. After that, I was not the executor of the company. It was formed and handed over to several people who took charge of it. If they brought the company down to that level, I should not be blamed. I only create and hand over to other people. The best thing we had in Maika was Oriental Capital Assurance Bhd (an insurance company that is a Maika subsidiary), worth about RM130mil. It was decided at the AGM (in 2007) that we should sell the company and pay off all the shareholders, so that once and for all we can close the company down and the people who invested get back their money, with due consideration.
We already had a buyer. When the deal was about to go through, Datuk Subramaniam (former MIC deputy president) and Nesa (Koperasi Nesa Pelbagai Bhd, one of MIC’s economic development projects) took an injunction to stop it. We talked to them several times but they refused to bow. Now the economy is down and the buyer has withdrawn. And Maika Holdings is dead. The value of the insurance company is down now. We wanted to sell (Oriental Capital) for RM130mil but Datuk Subramaniam wanted a higher price for it. There was nobody to offer a higher price despite our many efforts, but still they (Subramaniam and Nesa) did not want to withdraw (the injunction).
So what is the fate of the thousands of poor Indians who invested in your scheme? This is a time of great economic hardship for them.
The poor who want to sell their shares, they come here (MIC headquarters) and we give them the money. Because they say I am the one who sold them the shares. They tell me “I’ve got 2,000 Maika shares and am in economic distress, can you buy it back?” And I pay them RM2,000 from my pocket.
You will do this for all who want a refund?
Actually when there were articles written in the press for people to go and claim their money back, nobody came. They feel that their money is not lost, that there is a way to get their returns. They trusted us very much and they still do trust us. When we call for an AGM, only a handful of about 20 to 25 people will be shouting. When we tell them “Ok, take back your money”, they say “No, no, I don’t want to.” They still trust that they will get back their money.
How do you feel about the bad press mounting against you, political commentators saying you’re finished and demanding that you go?
I always welcome constructive, not destructive criticisms. For those being constructive, I call them and ask them for their views so we can change for the better. But when it’s destructive, going way down to attack personalities, I don’t think that’s journalism. Many have criticised us and I have listened to them. We have worked with many people like that. I take it very constructively.
So you take it constructively when they say you are not fit to lead the MIC?
All right, yes. I look at it constructively. He may have his reason and I have my reason why I think I should stay. An outsider has not gone through the problems of the party. From outside, it is easy to say we should run the party this way. But the practical experience of running a party is only known when you are doing it yourself.
The expectation is that you will step down soon anyway. The party elections are scheduled in September where the second echelon leaders will be elected. Will you state here whether you’re stepping down in September?
The new leader will need time to be trained. I can’t just walk away in September. The new man will not be in a position to do what needs to be done. In September, I will announce when I will get out of the party.
How long more then?
About a year to a year-and-half. I was re-elected only last month.
You campaigned for a new deputy president in 2006 to unseat your long-serving deputy Datuk S. Subramaniam, saying you wanted the leadership succession issue settled. Now, you are said to have changed your mind that your deputy Datuk G. Palanivel should succeed you. We’re back to square one?
No, no such thing. Now there are too many people clamouring for that post and that is the greatest headache for me. Who should really be the person to be the next deputy president? All of them have served the party in their own way.
Will you endorse anyone for the deputy’s post, as he will surely become the acting MIC president when you step down soon?
I have not decided yet. I have to have some very deep thinking first. I still maintain my influence in the party, but at the moment I do not want to say anything yet. Datuk Palanivel is the incumbent, and there is Datuk (S.) Sothinathan (MIC vice-president), Datuk Dr Subramaniam who is the MIC secretary-general, and also Datuk Subramaniam (former MIC deputy president), all aiming to contest. It is the first time there will be such a big field vying for the deputy presidency. This is going to be a very important party election. It could be either way – the candidates (who win) could keep the party going with new strategies and plans, or it could be the start of new problems and internal bickering thereafter.
Do you think your former arch-rival Datuk Subramaniam would be an ideal choice, due to his vast experience? He is said to have made peace with you.
We are friends and are on talking terms again. But the decision he is seeking can only be made by the delegates, not me. In the previous election (I sided against him) because of so many other factors.
You once said that if the Indians do not stand up for their blood, sweat and toil for this country, no one will. Do you think you have stood up well enough for them in all your years as MIC president?
I have, in all my duties not only as party leader but as minister too. I did not care about offending anyone.
I said what the community wanted me to and I stood my ground. I have looked after the MIC for almost 30 years.
A: We have briefed more than 3,000 branches on our re-branding programme. We have to brief 210 more branches in Negri Sembilan and another 430 in Selangor.
The branches briefed are already adopting our new approach in handling the people’s problems, including assessing the situation, analy-sing how we have been doing and getting feedback.
Q: What next? A: We have to engage the people and tell them what we are doing to improve their status.
We were approaching things in an individual manner, meaning the branch leader was approached with a problem and he would take it to the MIC leadership.
Now, we have changed the approach. The branch leader will form a small team, whose members include professionals, to listen to the people’s problems.
The team will bring up the issue with the elected representative of the area.
The people’s problems are not communal. We cannot operate on communal lines anymore. Operating on communal lines is why the problems of certain communities are never-ending and that is what contributes to dissatisfaction.
It is not only the party’s responsibility to solve the problem, it is the elected representatives’ responsibility as well.
The branch leaders have to solve the problems at their level with the help of the elected representatives.
The party’s top leadership should not be burdened with minor issues. It has to tackle issues at macro level, such as increasing Indian employment in government service or formulating ways to increase the community’s economic wealth. But, for that, we need the government to offer jobs and licences to the Indian community so that it can raise its equity in the national economy.
We are also proposing a unit trust fund with government guarantee for the community.
Q: How sure are you that the new approach will work?
A: There are only three MIC representatives and it is difficult for them to solve the problems of more than two million Indians. Furthermore, the problems faced by Indians in Malaysia are not the responsibility of MIC alone but that of the Barisan Nasional as well.
Everyone in BN is duty- bound to help people regardless of their racial background. This way, many of the problems affecting the Indian community or other communities can be solved and there will be no resentment against BN.
It has to be a collective effort on the part of BN at the grassroots level onwards, no more communal-based, from local councils up to the state government and then the Federal Government.
For instance, if there is an opening for 10 positions in a local council, the Indian community should be considered for some of the positions. Otherwise, where can the Indians go to become council members? Q: How about in the Pakatan Rakyat-held states? How will the approach there be?
A: It is the same approach.
Branch leaders should take up the issues with the relevant government departments. This is the time for branch leaders to play their part, to win back the confidence of the people. Q: How are the branch leaders taking to this new approach?
A: There is a lot of enthusiasm and they are ready to face the challenges. There is nothing for them to lose. Q: How successful do you think the rebranding exercise will be?
A: MIC on its own can achieve success only to a certain extent. BN, also, has to undergo a rebranding exercise. Many component parties, including Umno, are talking about it.
We have to prove that BN component parties can work as a team. We may have done some things wrongly in the past. It is time we put it right.
Q: What about Hindraf?
A: It is a banned movement. The Indian community wanted an umbrella movement to voice their problems. It turned to Hindraf but that organisation could not help it.
MIC did not make itself easily accessible to people to voice their issues. But all that is changing. We have to serve the people. This is not the time to abandon those who left us.
