Mutiny against Samy Vellu set to grow

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Several more MIC central working committee members are breaking ranks with party president Datuk S. Samy Vellu and his son, Vel Paari, and will join the rebels to ask the 74-year-old veteran to step down by Dec 31 this year.

The Malaysian Insider understands they will join the two central working committee (CWC) members — KP Samy and G. Kumar Amman — who set a precedent last week by calling for Samy Vellu to step down immediately.

Both were summarily sacked from the MIC for doing so.


Vell Paari has accused Umno of setting the dogs on his father.
Earlier, MIC Youth deputy leader V. Mugilan — who started the ball rolling — was also sacked from the party.
Petaling Jaya division MIC division chairman V. Subramaniam, or Barath Maniam, was also summarily dismissed for disparaging the president when he sought to be nominated as Senator.

The new CWC members who intend to join the rebels have all asked The Malaysian Insider not to identify them as they would otherwise come under a “charm offensive” from Samy Vellu and his diehards to not side with the rebels.

“I have been offered a top post in the MIC, [and] another post as a director in a GLC to not join the rebels,” said a CWC member.

“I heard even cash is being offered by emissaries not to switch camp,” he said, adding a bidding war was underway, with posts in MIC and GLCs being touted.

“I have never felt this important.”

Another CWC member from the north was being sweet-talked into not joining the rebels’ gathering under the Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu or GAS movement, which is holding its inaugural launch at the PWTC at 2pm on Sunday.

“They tell me I am going to inherit the party. They tell me ‘don’t be stupid and spoil my chances’ by supporting the rebels,” the CWC member said.

“I have to think hard because they are very persuasive,” he said. “They tell me if sacked, it will take me another ten years to get back into the party.”

“I am also worried that all the top MIC leaders are publicly supporting Samy Vellu but privately telling us to fight Samy...one by one we are being killed,” he added.

According to an assessment by The Malaysian Insider, at least 19 of the 35 elected CWC members were ready to switch camps — provided either deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel or vice-president Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam speak up and endorse the rebels.

But they are more likely to wait and see where the wind blows before committing themselves. Likewise, the state MIC leaders are waiting, watching and assessing the situation.


Mugilan’s GAS movement will have a big say on how the mushrooming crisis plays out.
“They will only move if they think Samy Vellu is really going down... otherwise they will sit and wait,” said a former MIC vice-president.
“But they would exploit the situation to get sinecures and other largesse for themselves and their families and cronies,” he said.

A lot depends on the GAS and whether it snowballs into a broad movement against Samy Vellu or dies a natural death like other anti-Samy Vellu initiatives over the past 30 years.

Sunday’s gathering at the PWTC will be a measure of things to come.

Samy Vellu and his team, including Vell Paari, are using all their power and influence to stop MIC members and others from attending the inaugural GAS gathering.

They are even toying with a rival gathering at the MIC building to keep people away.

Samy Vellu is unlikely to go down without a fight.

His Youth chief, T. Mohan, has been asked to float the idea that MIC should pull out of Barisan Nasional on the grounds of alleged Umno interference in MIC affairs.

This may appear unthinkable but not beyond Samy Vellu.

In one stroke he could kill off his enemies, label any who oppose him traitors and win short-term kudos from across the Indian community where Umno’s capital is thin