About 10,000 people are expected at the launching of the Gerakan Anti-Samy (GAS) at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) this Sunday, the party's sacked deputy Youth chief V Mugilan claimed.

He said the initial estimates were 7,000, but had now risen to 10,000 as more people had thrown their support behind GAS.

NONE "Those expected to attend the gathering include MIC members, Maika Holdings shareholders and other members of the Indian community who are not party members," he told a press conference held at a restaurant, Petaling Jaya today.

Mugilan ( in white shirt ) also disclosed that he himself had on Monday booked the Dewan Merdeka at PWTC for the gathering and not Umno as claimed by MIC Youth chief T Mohan yesterday.

He said as the Dewan Merdeka could only accommodate 5,000 people, large screens would be placed outside the hall to enable the others to follow the proceeding inside.

    

Mugilan, who was sacked by MIC president S Samy Vellu last Thursday, is asking the latter to step down in July instead of the year end as suggested earlier.

If gathering fails...

He said the latest decision was made due to the mounting anti-Samy Vellu sentiment and calls for the party supremo to step down.

Mugilan said he would announce a plan at the GAS launching for Samy Vellu to quit the party presidency earlier than he (Samy Vellu) had planned.

Also present at the press conference were former party central working committee members KP Samy and G Kumar Amaan who were also sacked by Samy Vellu on Monday.

Asked what would happen if the gathering fails to get Samy Vellu to step down early, Mugilan said: "We will tell the media that Samy Vellu is the best leader. We will keep quiet and surrender."

Mugilan also showed the receipt dated May 24 for the payment of RM5,000 for booking the Dewan Medeka which was made in his name.

He said the receipt was handed over to the Dang Wangi police station to apply for a permit to hold the GAS gathering on Sunday.