“Leaders come and go but the struggle for the people will continue,” said former Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner S Sivasubramaniam.

Commenting on the announcement by MIC president S Samy Vellu that he would step down in January next year, the former Cuepacs president said although the latter had contributed a lot for the Indian community, there were many more things to be done.

mtuc suhakam memo 240205 sivasubramaniam “The struggle for the community will never end. It is time for us to get innovative ideas, young leadership and new blood to take over the party,” Sivasubramaniam ( left ) told Bernama in Kuala Lumpur today.

Samy Vellu, who took over the helm of the party as acting president on Sept 13, 1979 following the death of V Manickavasagam, announced yesterday that his deputy G Palanivel would succeed him.

Speaking on the same matter, the advisor of Sembaruthi Magazine, S Pasupathi, said for the first time in the history of the country, Indians in the country were hugely divided and that many MIC members had migrated to other political parties.

“The president of MIC is not going to determine the future of Indians. The Indians got to transform themselves from the race or cast based-politics into multiracial or multiethnic politic platforms,” he told Bernama .

He said it’s good timing for Samy Vellu to leave the party and give way to a new face for the community’s sake.

R Jeevan, president of Personal Development, Crime Prevention and Anti Drugs (Pencegah) said the departure of the 74-year-old politician would provide opportunities for the  Malaysian Indians to unite again.

He said Indians voters, who were not satisfied with the veteran president, voted against Barisan Nasional in 2008 general election and his departure could bring them back.

Mugilan: GAS to be disbanded

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference here, V Mugilan ( left ), the NONE founder of Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS), which sought the ouster of the MIC president, said he was disbanding the movement now that Samy Vellu had given a firm quit date.

Earlier, the Parti Punjabi Malaysia (PPM) today wished Samy Vellu a happy retirement.

Its president, Dr Susheel Kaur in a statement to Bernama today said PPM hoped the new leadership under his deputy, Palanivel, would continue to look after the interests of the Indian community including the Punjabis.

Susheel, the first woman to head a political party in the country, said the PPM would work closely with government and non-governmental organisations for the betterment of Malaysians.

“We can certainly do a lot for the people if we cooperate and utilise all the resources at our disposal,” she said.

- Bernama