MIC president S Samy Vellu today launched a scathing attack against Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Anwar Ibrahim over the Maika Holdings shares scandal.

The veteran politician accused the former deputy premier of misleading the public over the matter, which has become part of the opposition's election campaign.

"He is bull-shitting everybody, but he cannot bullshit Samy Vellu," he said in response to a question from malaysiakini when met at the sidelines of a Barisan Nasional function in Ijok this evening.

"I can tear him (Anwar) down but I don't want to because he is a friend and we served together," he added.

The MIC president also read out a report by former Anti-Corruption Agency director-general Zulkipli Mahmud which cleared Samy Vellu of any wrongdoing in this matter.

"I hope Anwar read this report, if he has not read it than he is not a leader," he stressed.

Samy Vellu, who is also works minister, said ACA had investigated the matter for more than three months.

"Even the ACA has closed the case but Anwar cannot close it, because he is suffering from trauma," he added.

As for the shares allocated to Maika Holdings, the investment arm of MIC, Samy Vellu said it was never given for free.

The shares were bought and the profit from this was used for the upgrading of the community, he explained.

"Anwar was never satisfied back then and he is still not satisfied now," he said.

More than a decade later, the Maika shares scandal continues to be part of the opposition's arsenal. Numerous reports have been filed with the police and ACA against Samy Vellu regarding the controversial issue.

No comments on Dr M's comments

In another development, the MIC president sidestepped a question regarding the remarks by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the Ijok by-election.

In an interview with malaysiakini yesterday, Mahathir had urged the voters to cast their ballots wisely and send a signal to this ' rotten government '.

"I am a good friend of Tun (Mahathir) and I have much respect for him. I don't want to comment on his comments. God willing, we will win this by-election," said Samy Vellu when quizzed.

Meanwhile, the MIC president also expressed great confidence in securing the Indian votes for BN's MIC candidate K Parthiban.

"We will get at least 85 percent of the Indian votes and our campaign has been very effective. I am satisfied," he added.

He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and all BN component parties for helping the campaign.

Ijok, which is a Malay majority seat, has more than 28 percent or 3,300 Indian voters. The state seat fell vacant following the death of MIC incumbent K Sivalingam on April 4.

Parthiban will be facing PKR's Khalid Ibrahim in this Saturday's contest.

Fact boxes on Ijok