In response to Josh Hong's piece Syabas YB! But ... , I wonder if the the MIC secretary-general's outburst over the Crimea State Medical University affair can be categorised as truly a 'heroic deed'.

Given the play of events, was MIC president S Samy Vellu's intention in bringing up the issue really so noble indeed? After making such a vocal stand over the Malaysian Medical Council's decision to de-recognise CSMU medical degrees, it's not hard to imagine S Sothinathan being called upon to defend this stand in parliament (or less cynically, perhaps the deputy minister was emboldened by his boss' statement to mount a follow-up).

But once it became clear how contemptuous the atmosphere was over Sothinathan's move, where was Samy to be found?

For such a grizzled politician as he, surely Samy must have known the political cost of breaking rank with Barisan Nasional (certainly the Chinese parties know this well).

Would he be that naive as to send his secretary-general to the killing fields hoping for victory? Or perhaps the MMC issue really isn't what is being played out here.

Either way, Sothinathan has stirred up enough ill-will and MIC has decided not to appeal his suspension leaving one of their own in temporary limbo despite they being responsible for starting the whole debate.

As a Chinese, frankly I'd be quite terrified if we had a Samy-type for party president.