The return of ‘Whiskey’ Maniam

If politics breeds strange bedfellows, then Indian politics in Malaysia breeds them stranger still. S Subramaniam, who last stood for the MIC deputy presidency against S Palanivel, is now full of praises for Palanivel’s ‘leadership’.

In recent months, talk that former journalist Palanivel has fallen out with mentor S Samy Vellu has gathered strength. Samy, the long-entrenched MIC president, was finally forced out of the party by an Umno fearful of losing the Indian vote with him around.

That is how disliked Samy is. Even so, it was not easy to dislodge this man who has been cursed countless times by his own community for forsaking them and sapu-bersih (wipe clean) all the goodies meant for them.

Even so, as a sign of how complete Samy's grip on MIC was, Prime Minister Najib Razak had to dangle a Special Envoy post with full ministerial pay and perks before Samy finally agreed.

Taking on Samy

Palanivel was once Samy’s proxy in the decades old Subra-Samy quarrel. The Subra-Samy quarrel was about two groups in MIC who were constantly fighting to get as high a percentage of the scraps thrown out by Umno for themselves.

The actual Indian poor, of course, were no better served no matter which of these groupings were winning. Proof of this was seen in the aftermath of the Hindraf protest, where Samy and Subra claimed to have made up, the purpose of which was to try to induce the Indians to vote for BN yet again.

In an interesting twist, the Subra-Palanivel contest featured Sothinathan as a spoiler. Sothinathan’s presence ensured Palani’s win. He was of course ordered to stand by Samy in a cynical exploitation of the caste sentiment that pervades the now practically defunct MIC.

Sothinathan has always been Samy’s ‘boy’ and was his point man in the Telekom Maika scandal. Sothinathan could answer all questions regarding the sale and proceeds of the Maika shares, if only the MACC thinks to ask him.

Targeting Kapar and Padang Serai

Now that Palanivel is at odds with Samy, party sources indicate that he has decided to help S Subramaniam make a comeback by offering him the Kapar seat, currently held by PKR’s ‘Mike’ Manickavasagam.

Mike is no stranger to the people in Selangor. He is known for his explosive temper and brash tantrum-throwing activist-style of politicking. But his constituents seem to like him. Along with PKR vice president N Surendran, the two have fought ardently for the plight of the marginalized, at times taking on huge personal risks.

MIC is also negotiating to try and exchange Kapar with Padang Serai, in which case Palanivel may allow Subramaniam to stand in Padang Serai. Subramaniam will then ally himself with Palanivel against Samy Vellu and his men. Samy’s ‘men’ in MIC include the current HR Minister, confusingly also named S Subramaniam.

Now, Padang Serai is held by PKR turncoat N Gobalakrishnan, a former MIC Youth leader. He now calls himself an Independent but it is clear to many in the political circles that he is firmly aligned to Umno and spouts their line. And not MIC's, because Gobala has not decided whether to go back to his old party.

It is telling that Palanivel and Subra are considering switching the Kapar seat for Padang Serai. It speaks volumes that they reckon - like most other Malaysians too - that it is much easier to beat Gobala, who has disgraced himself with a noisy exit from PKR, rather than Mike.

So what, how can MIC help the Indians?

But at the end of the day, despite patting themselves on the back for plotting such ingenuous moves, like Chess grandmasters or so they think, the one question that the Indians are asking remains unanswered.

How does reviving the career of a whiskey-loving, dried-up ‘ikan kering’ politician like Subramaniam will benefit the long-suffering Indians? Indeed, it is a mystery. But then, helping the Indians has never been the MIC’s real objective; it is all about helping themselves.