I refer to the Malaysiakini report Pressure mounts on Samy to go .

In recent times many have been writing on the performance of S Samy Vellu as president of the MIC and cabinet minister. While I agree that no human being is perfect, we must give credit where it is due. Over the many years of service, Samy has been extremely hard-working and vocal for the community especially in the cabinet on all the critical matters pertaining to the social economic and cultural rights and provisions for Indian Malaysians.

These are well-documented and those who have worked closely with him in the cabinet can give a clear description of Samy’s contributions to community and nation. On Feb 3, at the MIC Special Convention, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said:

‘And I can tell you, Dato Seri Samy Vellu is the only Indian representative in the cabinet. But he is equivalent to several ministers. I cannot divulge the proceedings of our cabinet but I tell you in terms of the time he takes in cabinet is disproportionately more compared to others. He is one minister who speaks. Probably he consumes more time than several ministers put together.

‘So, if people accuse Dato Seri Samy Vellu of not fighting for the Indian community, I will be among the first to deny because he has fought for Indians. He has fought hard for the Indian community. He has spoken with full of passion for the Indian community. He is very colourful in his presentation. And he does that because he is the leader of MIC and of the Indian community.’

On a similar note, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Effendi Norwawi provided an insight on the inner workings of cabinet. In a recent newspaper article, Effendi writes:

‘For many years, long before the Hindraf issue, I’ve always told friends that the person I admire most, the fiercest fighter for his community, is Samy Vellu. He is fearless and relentless. He’ll take on the whole cabinet if he has to. If only the Indian community could see him in action in the cabinet.’

The direct experience and encounters of two cabinet ministers is clear testimony to the services rendered by Samy Vellu for the community and nation. This cannot just be election talk as both ministers are credible national leaders. Let’s take heart and seek to work together for the advancement of Indian Malaysians.