I refer to the Malaysiakini report MIC veteran to take on Samy.

What the MIC needs is an injection of new blood and fresh ideas to face the many challenges ahead for the party in general and the Indians in particular.

It must completely do away with communalised and crony politics if it wants to see any hope for its survival. It is currently seen to be hooked to a ‘life support system’.

If S Samy Vellu has any decency left in him and genuinely has the interest of the Indians at heart, then after nearly 30 years of inept leadership, he should have resigned yesterday. Many Indians in and out of MIC, see him as a liability who continues to spout unintelligible and unconstructive words of doom for the party.

If he is still intoxicated with power and cannot hear the many calls for his resignation, then I would liken him to be another Robert Mugabe who clings on to power at whatever cost and totally ignores the cries and misery of the people.

Such avaricious people need to be forced out in disgrace, held accountable and be made to pay for the tonnes of hanky panky that took place when supposedly ‘leading’ the community.

Other component parties of the BN have made the changes to gear themselves for the next election and also to try to win back lost support. Even Dr Mahathir Mohamad made way for a new leadership and gave up the premier’s post but Samy leads on.

MIC, or Samy Vellu to be more precise, is a typical example of a katak di bawah tempurung. He does not care what happens around him or hear the many calls for his resignation. He is only interested in safeguarding his interests and further strengthening his impregnable fortresses to ensure he is always at the top until he - and only he - decides to leave.

Some say, it is a ‘made-in-India’ politics that is being practised in MIC where it is quite common for the leader to stay on or keep coming back even if the person is old and frail due to his/her demi-god status. Why not, when you are surrounded by ‘yes men’ who are all well taken care of by you?

It is a pity that with so much talented and professional Indians around, a party claiming to represent the Indians is led by people who have no foresight or any clear direction and plan for the furture except talking about temples and Tamil schools.

What are the community’s business or educational plans for the future? Are there open dialogues with Indian professionals and businessmen to seek their expertise on how the Indians can progress? The needs are plenty but action is sadly lagging far, far behind.

Indians, undoubtedly, have contributed immensely to the growth and development of this country through their blood, sweat and tears. But it is a pity they are portrayed by Samy Vellu as hardcore poor and ignorant, going about with their begging bowls for charity from the government.

Even this stipend is not accounted for or distributed out to the deserving people. I believe the Indians do not want handouts but want a fair share of the nation’s economic pie for which they have so dedicatedly and painstakingly worked for.

An effective and good leader will not hesitate to fight for such a share. This is grossly lacking in MIC who are there just to make the numbers for Umno's monopolistic rule.

An ex-MIC leader contesting the president's post and who has no proven record of working for the Indians is like another Samy Vellu in the making. Has this person even the remotest chance of winning?

He is from the same old mould and is just seen to be capitalising on the situation. The MIC vehicle needs an overhaul and not just a basic servicing of a change of black oil and filter.

It is time for the MIC grassroots to move a ‘no confidence’ vote against Samy Vellu and his cronies and get people with proper qualifications to lead the Indian community which is quite disunited now.

Take care not only of the interests of the Tamils who make up the bulk of MIC’s membership but Indians as a whole. If this cannot be achieved by MIC then there is no point in talking about national unity.

If MIC members still continue to leave it to Samy and do not speak up, we shall see you all moving into oblivion and soon.