The bitter tussle for deputy presidency last year has not affected the unity in MIC, according to party president S Samy Vellu.

"The party is very consolidated and the working order is strong and simple," he told reporters after the closing of MIC's 61st general assembly in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"People take instructions and carry out their work. Everyone understands their responsibilities," added the veteran politician.

The MIC president also expressed satisfaction with the performance of his new office bearers, namely his deputy G Palanivel.

"I don't have to tell Palanivel what to do, he knows his work. For example, in Ijok (where a by-election was held recently), he registered 800 poor Indians to obtain support from the government. He is also working on many other areas," he said.

The seal of approval from Samy Vellu puts a lid on speculations by certain quarters that ties between him and his new deputy are strained.

In last June's party elections, Palanivel defeated the president's former estranged deputy of more than 25 years, S Subramaniam.

In the run up to the polls, Samy Vellu had openly expressed support for Palanivel and launched scathing attacks against Subramaniam, among others, accusing him of 'back stabbing'.

New format

Meanwhile, the MIC president also revealed that he will instruct the party's elected representatives to execute their duties according to a new format.

Samy Vellu said he wanted the representatives to be more "social conscious" in order to better serve the ordinary people who require assistance.

"There is no point in opening an office where four or five people come to see us. I think that style is out. No wakil rakyat should sit in his office and say that he is meeting people.

"The wakil rakyat must tell the people that they are coming to see them. The days are over where the people have to go to meet the wakil rakyat," he stressed.

The MIC president was responding to a question on whether the party's elected representatives are adhering to the request of submitting report cards on their respective performances.

According to Samy Vellu, all of MIC's elected representatives have been submitting monthly reports.

During last month's Ijok by-election in Selangor, the dismal performance of the late MIC state assemblyperson K Sivalingam had become a much discussed issue.

Despite this, MIC's K Parthiban still managed to win the seat by beating Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate Khalid Ibrahim.

In another development, the MIC president said the party can only be allocated more seats if a delineation exercise is carried out.

"We cannot ask for seats belonging to others," he added.