As the temperature builds up for the MIC elections, all eyes are on the president with regards to who he will endorse for number two and future successor.

To date, former deputy president S Subramaniam and current vice-president S Sothinathan have announced their candidacies.

Although incumbent G Palanivel has remained tightlipped, he is however expected to defend his seat come the party polls on September 12.

Another likely contender for the post is Human Resources Minister and MIC secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam.

samy vellu exclusive on tamil schools 080708 06 Commenting on this today, MIC president S Samy Vellu said he will announce his stand on the elections soon whether to endorse any candidate or otherwise.

"I have already made up my mind and will let you all know soon," he said.

Samy Vellu, who was recently returned unopposed as president for a record 11th term, said he has given it serious thought and felt that as president of the party, he should make his stand known to the MIC delegates and members.

"Earlier, I thought all the aspiring candidates could sit down and discuss as to who should contest for which post.

"But it looks like everyone is making their announcement about which post they wanted to contest," he told reporters before opening a Student Leadership Convention at Universiti Malaya.

He prefers a straight fight

Samy Vellu said he could not stop anyone from contesting as it was a democratic process but stressed that he would have to let the delegates who would be voting in the party elections know his stand.

"Everyone is free to contest but I too will make known my stand soon," he said without mentioning when he would do so.

Previously, Samy Vellu had said that he would not endorse anyone for any post but would rather allow a 'free-for-all' contest.

However, he had stressed that he could not predict what his stand would be in future.

The Sept 12 MIC elections would also see a contest for the deputy president, three vice-presidents and 23 Central Working Committee members post.

Party insiders said Samy Vellu would prefer a straight fight for the number two post to ensure the party remained intact and united.

They felt that Samy Vellu was worried that should there be a three or four-cornered fight, it would break up the party as there would be three or four factions.

Previously, Bernama had quoted sources as saying that Palanivel has received the president's blessings .

MIC Youth files police report

In another development, MIC Youth today filed a police report against the president of Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) Ibrahim Ali.

ibrahim ali This was in connection with his comments in Utusan Malaysia regarding MIC president S Samy Vellu, which MIC Youth claimed was seditious and slanderous.

The report was filed by the wing's social and welfare bureau head S Subramaniam at the Sentul district police headquarters this afternoon.

Subramaniam said MIC Youth wants Ibrahim - who is also the Pasir Mas MP - to apologise to the MIC president.

"We also want Utusan Malaysia to be more responsible and refrain from publishing articles with a racial slant," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Ibrahim had lashed out at Samy Vellu after the MIC president called for a writer in Utusan Malaysia to be charged with sedition for indirectly calling the Chinese and Indians as immigrants.