The majority of ntv7's prime time English news viewers found nothing wrong with a MIC delegate's call to garland former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's photograph with slippers.

A total of 51 percent had voted 'No' in a SMS poll aired by the Umno-linked television network which asked if the delegate's remark was "rude, extreme and uncalled for."

NONE The SMS poll was featured on Monday, a day after M Sukumaran made the hard-hitting statement during the MIC annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur.

However, a source said the same poll drew different results when aired during the 1pm and 7pm Bahasa Malaysia news slots.

"More than 80 percent voted 'Yes' during the two slots. This is because the viewers are predominantly Malays.

"But it is different (more non-Malay viewers) during the 8pm news," added the source who wished to remain anonymous.

The 'slipper garland' remark elicited widespread condemnation from various quarters, including Mahathir's son and international trade and industry deputy minister Muhkriz.

Umno leaders Hishammuddin Hussein and Rais Yatim also saw red.

Apart from a demonstration by Mahathir's supporters, two police reports have also been lodged over the matter.

Delegate has apologised

MIC president S Samy Vellu, who had cautioned delegates against raising the Mahathir issue, has since suspended Sukumaran.

The Pahang MIC delegate also expressed regret for making the remark and is hoping to meet the former premier to personally convey his apology.

NONE "I regret having uttered those words. I regret it very much. I sincerely hope Mahathir will accept my apology," he said, adding that he was "carried away by emotions."

MIC delegates had zeroed in on the former premier after he was quoted in a Tamil daily as attacking the party president.

Among others, he had blamed Samy Vellu for the Indian community's decline in support for Barisan Nasional and accused him of not allowing other leaders to grow.

The news appeared just 48 hours before the MIC elections were scheduled to be held. The daily is linked to Samy Vellu's political nemesis S Subramaniam.

The next day, the MIC president hit back by conferring Mahathir with the title "master of destroying deputies."

However during the party AGM, Samy Vellu advised delegates not to attack Mahathir whom he described as a "great statesman."