I refer to the Malaysiakini report Samy Vellu retains top post uncontested .

It is disappointing to see S Samy Vellu gets to hold on of the presidential post of MIC for another term.

Although he is one of the oldest veterans in the politics of our country, he is not known as a respectable and dignified leader.

On the contrary, his image has already been marred, if not ruined, by various scandals in and out of the party.

This can be perceived from the result of the last general election that witnessed him being rejected by the voters. As a result, he lost his parliamentary seat and failed to obtain a ministerial post.

Given the aforementioned reasons, I am completely bewildered by the large number of nominations that the embattled Samy Vellu received.

Do the members of MIC really think a leader of his calibre suffices to lead the party to victory at the forthcoming by-election in Bukit Selambau? I strongly doubt so.

One can only attribute this to the firm grip that he has on the party. Indeed, being at the helm of the party for over three decades is more than enough to make him a dictator whom very few in the party dare to challenge.

Needless to say, this is not as healthy as it might appear. As the saying goes, power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

However great a leader is, the power that comes with the throne will eventually corrupt him/her, especially when he/her enjoys the power long enough.

Take a look at Sarawak. Abdul Taib Mahmud has been the chief minister of Sarawak for 27 years, but what has he contributed to the state and the people?

Under his administration, Sarawak still remains as one of most underdeveloped states in our country.

While his family members are all filthy rich having stakes in major companies in the state, the majority of the Sarawak people still live below the poverty line.

Samy Vellu has already lost the confidence of the people, particularly the Indian community in our country.

So long as he retains the seat of president, he will be the albatross for MIC and prevent any significant reforms by the party to win back the hearts of voters.