Writing on the wall for MIC supremo

Athi Veeranggan Dec 26, 07 12:59pm
It was a rare sight.The jeering and booing of Works Minister S Samy Vellu at the Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa) last Sunday shows the naked truth that a growing number of Indian Malaysians are against the MIC strongman.On Sunday night, loud boos accompanied Samy Vellu on stage as he emerged to officiate Astro’s 'Aattam 100 Vagai' (100 types of dance), an international modern Indian dance competition [YouTube video].If the crowd's unhappiness was anything to go by, Indian Malaysians want the beleaguered Samy Vellu to gracefully relinquish both his party and government positions immediately."The message is loud and clear.

Hindu masses have had enough of Samy Vellu,” said Penang-based United Hindu Religious Council President G Mugunthan, 65."Samy Vellu (should) honourably resign. He has been ‘warming’ the chair for far too long."Indeed, Samy Vellu has firmly held the party’s reign for nearly 30 years. During this period, he has made sure that he is the only Indian cabinet minister, no one else. Obviously, he wants to be revered as the supreme leader for the 1.8 million Tamil-speaking Indians in the country.In the past, he called all the shots and held the key to all major government decisions on issues pertaining to Indian affairs.

Stability in MIC

Certain party insiders believe that Samy Vellu's autocratic political style has provided stability within the party.But political stability of a party does not guarantee prosperity for the community."It will work so long (that) there is no dissent. Now after 50 years, Hindus have finally (awaken) from their deep slumber to realise that Barisan Nasional, MIC and Samy Vellu have had deceived and manipulated them for selfish gains," said a MIC observer who declined to be named.It is a known fact that the majority of Indian Malaysians have been staunch BN supporters over the years. In return, they expected the ruling coalition to safeguard and enhance their interests, rights and benefits.However, this did not happen.

The nationwide awakening was driven by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). It rapidly caught fire due to prevailing discontentment, disenchantment and disillusionment amongst Indian Malaysians.A political observer said that Hindraf does not need to spread lies to capture the imagination of the Hindu masses since the disturbing truth created by MIC and BN’s lopsided policies was evident enough."The Hindu masses needed a spark and they got it through Hindraf,” the observer noted. "At Pisa, Hindus vent their anger against the MIC leader for his feudal-style leadership tainted by cronyism, nepotism, corruption and miseries to Indians through the country. Never before have Hindus loathed and despised the MIC supremo so openly."The abuses and foul words lashed out last weekend would have traumatised anyone but the thick-skinned Samy Vellu took it all in his stride.He even had the cheek to wave to the abusive crowd of largely Indian youths who wanted the long-time Indian leader to get out of their sight.But what about him?

Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) Penang pro-tem liaison committee chairman L Balasupramaniyam described the whistling and jeering as a "mass dissatisfaction and displeasure demonstrated against the mess created by Samy Vellu and company.""Samy Vellu said MIC would change its elected representatives who were suffering from ‘fatigue’. But what about him?” asked Balasupramaniyam.It is undoubtedly time for the government to look more seriously into the problems affecting Indian Malaysians and resolve them by taking effective measures.Mugunthan said that the government should not merely listen to MIC and the array of party-linked NGO leaders.He added that the government should understand the fact that thousands of Indian Malaysians do not recognise Samy Vellu as their leader.All the issues resurfacing now are issues that should been resolved in last 50 years, he added. The BN-led government has failed to so despite numerous calls by various parties.Indian Malaysians have been on the losing end after backing BN and MIC for all these years. They now want what is rightfully theirs.

On Nov 25, they collectively showed their disapproval to the failures of BN, MIC and Samy Vellu in the streets of Kuala Lumpur and once again, a month later in Penang's Pisa.It is up to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Samy Vellu and the party to see the writing on the wall.It is there for all to see. It would be the height of arrogance if Samy Vellu fails to see it himself.