MIC chief Samy Vellu under pressure from minority Indian community

As Malaysians prepare to choose their next government, the minority Indian community has emerged as the group to watch.

Many Indians had taken part in anti-government protests in the past weeks, unhappy with their state of affairs. The man under pressure is leader of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), 71-year-old Samy Vellu who is also the Malaysian Works Minister. His decision to stay on as party president has been seen as a controversial move.

However Mr Samy dismissed any unhappiness even within party ranks and has decided to retain his presidency of the MIC. He dropped two popular vice presidents from the party's list of candidates as he announced his bid for a parliament seat in Sungai Siput. And not many think that's a wise move, going by the hostility from the very people he claims to represent.

Disgruntled Indians say they have been marginalised by the policies of ruling Barisan Nasional, which counts MIC as a component party. And they blame Mr Samy, saying he has not been doing much to improve their condition.

On Indian voter said: "Samy Vellu didn't intervene when the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) protest happened. There are a lot of problems, they destroyed the temple. Samy Vellu pretends not to know anything. He is a Minister and he has to put forth his views." Increasingly, they want Mr Samy to resign from all posts and retire from politics but the Works Minister and his team are confident that the MIC has enough support.

The man standing against Mr Samy in Sungei Siput is Dr Jayakumar, a candidate from Parti Keadilan Rakyat. He said "I think it's good for Malaysia if...Samy Vellu loses. It's good for Malaysia if the two-thirds majority goes - not only good for political parties but good for the people of Malaysia. It will make the government sit up and be more accountable and less corrupt."