Numerous letters to Malaysiakini are requesting that MIC supremo S Samy Vellu steps down and this letter is no different. But despite all these calls to step down, Samy Vellu is adamant that he will contest the 12th general election. One of the reason he cites is that there is a lot more to be done.
My question, like others, is: What you going to achieve in the next five years that you haven't achieved in the last 29 years?
Most of the Barisan Nasional political parties have new leaders, the old hats quitting to make way for younger ones. These include Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Dr Ling Liong Sik and Lim Keng Yaik. But not Samy Vellu. Neither has he groomed his second echelon leaders.
The MIC No. 2 now is G. Palanivel. We hardly hear any news of him in the media of his activities as MIC No. 2 or MP or as women’s, family and community development deputy minister. Is he news-shy?
Come a general election, Samy Vellu tells the whole country that ineffective MIC reps would be replaced and fresh blood would be injected. Yes, every general election we hear that from him but he just forgets one thing - change must begin from the top, not from the bottom.
In Samy 's case, by being where he is, he is detrimental to the entire Barisan Nasional. He may cost BN more seats around this time and probably lose his own seat too.
The Ijok by-election saw a young teacher by the name of K Parthiban being fielded as a candidate. The by-election campaigning period time was the first and last we ever heard of him! No news of him cutting ribbons or officiating at something or the other. Not even in the Tamil vernacular newspapers. Now that's the classic example of ‘fresh blood’ injected into MIC.
Finally as a voter who traditionally crosses the Dacing logo, I call upon the honorable Works Minister, Dato Seri Dr Samy Vellu, to gracefully exit the Indian political scene in Malaysia, honourably.
You opposed nail and tooth, together with the late V Manickavasagam, one of the finest Indian politicians in this country, the late VT Sambanthan. Together with Manickavasagam, you made him exit as MIC head.
At that time, it was only you and Manicka calling for the removal of Sambanthan but today almost the entire Indian community in Malaysia wishes you to go. Please be aware of the sensitivities on the ground and make a good decision. Let Palanivel lead from now on for what he is worth. Isn't that the reason you put him there in the first place?
Hamsa Sampangi
Malaysiakini
PEOPLE'S POWER
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