Iqbal Abd Ghaffar

The first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman had once said “An unhappy Indian is its own political party”. I can’t recall the quote word by word, but it sounded something like that.

Tunku Abdul Rahman couldn’t have said it any better as the quote stands true.

In present day Malaysia, the world can bare witness to the myriad of political parties that champions the roughly 2 million Malaysians of Indian ethnic. There’s a total of 9 starting with MIC, PPP, MIUP, Hindraf, Mindraf, AMIPF, KIMMA, MCC, PPM. This doesn’t take into account multiracial parties such as DAP, PKR, Gerakan, and PAS supporters club that the Indians can join .The number is quite large considering that the Indians make roughly less 9% of the Malaysian population.

While the large number of Indian based parties shows that democracy certainly thrives, the flip side of the coin is that a large number of people in the Indian community may be unhappy with the oldest Indian party in Malaysia. This became even more so evident when in March 2008, the MIC was almost obliterated from the face of Malaysian politics.

This can be solely attributed to the dissatisfaction the community has had with the leadership of the MIC. More specifically pointing to Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, the man who has had an iron fist control of the party since 1979.

Since his “dynasty” as President of the oldest and largest Indian based party, he has marginalized his own people, destroyed the political (and personal) careers of anyone who opposes him, and expelled those who supported the opposed. His dictatorial ways have successfully instilled fear instead of  respect in the community, split its support base many times over, and created a highly marginalized community. In that same process, he destroyed many aspiring and talented leaders from rising within the Indian community. There was only one key message that he wanted to say and that was “Support me, and I’ll extend my help to you. Oppose me, and you’ll perish!”

Samy Vellu is one man whose is skin far thicker than the glaciers of the Alps. Despite his loss in his own constituency of Sungai Siput and the obliteration of MIC in March 8 2008, the calls by grassroots for him to step down, and despite knowing that the many of his presidential peers in the ruling BN coalition has retired and the current BN leadership especially Najib Razak does not openly support him anymore, he defies all this stating that the MIC still needs his leadership to be reformed.

The biggest call to reform, would be to start with himself stepping down as President of the MIC. With him out of the way, new blood and ideas can then be injected into the party. With him out of the way, the shackles of fear based politics would be dismantled. With him out of the way, and with a leader who is more dynamic, young, vibrant, and who stands up to the cause of uniting the community will the party be able to see real progress.

Sept 12 marks the day when 1,464 MIC delegates will elect 23 representatives into the Central Working Committee, three Vice Presidents, and one Deputy President.

Samy Vellu has already lined up 27 “preferred” candidates for this election. But within the party ranks and files and more strongly the grassroots has signalled that this will not be an easy fight. The focus is on the three-cornered fight for the Deputy President’s seat. Incumbent and Samy Vellu’s preferred candidate Datuk G. Palanivel, is being challenged by former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam, and new comer and former blue-eyed boy of Samy Vellu Datuk S.Sothinathan.

Subramaniam, 49, has a strong support base from the grassroots who want to see real change in MIC. His support also comes from those who have been expelled from the party by Samy Vellu. His mantra of change for the better, and his promise of accepting all members who have been expelled from the party has won their hearts and minds.

The task of winning the post is an uphill battle as Samy Vellu’s tentacle is strongly wrapped around many delegates. However, his move to publish and interview with Dr.Mahathir on the future of MIC and Samy Vellu has already caused quite a stir with Samy Vellu telling Subramanian brought “shame” to the party, and telling Mahathir to stay out of MIC’s affairs.

Dr. Mahathir’s comments will have an impact on the delegates decision to elect their leaders. Those who want change are already excited with the comments given by the grand old man of Malaysian politics as this endorsement has given steam for the party to push for reforms and a put in place a new leadership that will hopefully muster enough power to oust Samy Vellu.

It is a known fact that the MIC has lost its respect within the Barisan Nasional coalition. In their view, MIC has lost the mandate of the Indian community. Many in BN agree and want to see Samy Vellu step down and let someone else take the helm. The chairman of BN who is also PM, Najib Razak have on many occasions bypassed Samy Vellu when it came to Indian issues such as the Section 23 temple relocation debacle.

All eyes and ears are now focused on Najib’s speech at the opening of MIC elections on the morning of the 12th as this will give an indication to the delegates on who to vote and elect. The outcome of this election will determine the rebirth or the demise of the MIC.

-IAG-

Iqbal backs Subramaniam to lead the way for reform and change in the MIC and ultimately oust Samy Vellu from the post of President. He has Indians close at heart because he and his brothers were well taken care of by a Tamil Sri Lankan maid for 12 years since he was a born. He regularly blogs at www.iqbalghaffar.com