Samy: My team can deliver for the community

MIC president S Samy Vellu stressed that the Sept 12 party election is not about individuals, but the future of the MIC and the Indian community.

He said 2009 was a very crucial year for the MIC because the party delegates would be electing leaders who have shown results and could move the party ahead and prepare it for the next general election.

"I have put up a team that can work and deliver for the Indian community and maintain the respect and cooperation of Barisan Nasional and the government," he said.

He said that he was endorsing incumbent deputy president G Palanivel to retain the post based on Palanivel's personal character, background and his achievements in the party and government.

Palanivel, who wrested the deputy president's post from S Subramaniam in the 2006 MIC elections, was the Deputy Minister in the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry before his defeat in the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat in the 2008 general election.

Describing Palanivel as an "untainted and clean man", Samy Vellu said he had carried out his duties as a deputy minister and deputy president effectively without seeking publicity.

"Palanivel works as a team player and he has helped in the formulation of many policies and programs for the party," he said, adding that Palanivel was also "a no-nonsense and practical person".

He also said Palanivel has good working relations with leaders of other Barisan Nasional component parties. "These are the qualities needed to become a good leader," he said.

Three MPs must be voted in too

Samy Vellu said he was also endorsing Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam, Deputy Minister in the PMs Department SK Devamany and Deputy Federal Territories Minister M Saravanan for the three post of vice-president because they are members of parliament and the party's representatives in the government.

"They must be given the mandate by the party to speak to the government on behalf of the Indian community and the MIC. They will be unable to perform effectively if the MIC itself is seen as not supporting them," Samy Vellu said.

Stressing that Dr Subramaniam ( photo: right ) was the sole Indian representative in the cabinet, he said through a stronger mandate from the delegates, his voice in the cabinet would gain more respect and be honoured.

"Similarly, Devamany and Saravanan have to get the support of the MIC is they are to perform. Dr Subramaniam, Devamany and Saravanan are our only MPs now to implement the party's government work," he said.

On his 27-member team for the 23 post in the Central Working Committee (CWC), Samy Vellu said his list comprised a mix of all ages and groups within the Indian community namely Malayali, Telegu and Sikh.

"I want the CWC to represent all the communities within the Indian community to avoid the party from being branded as just for one group (Tamils)," he added.