Samy Vellu should take the blame and resign over his ineffective role as works minister, said DAP chairperson Karpal Singh.

He said that Samy cannot hold his post in perpetuity in light of incidents of "enormous magnitude" affecting his credibility.

"In my view, Samy Vellu must step down as works minister. His ability to run his ministry is suspect.

"Someone who is capable enough to avoid disasters in the like of those which have occurred in the last few years within the sphere of the Works Ministry should take over," Karpal said in a statement.

The Bukit Gelugor MP referred to several incidents which Samy was accountable for including the announcement that extensive renovation is required to fix the leaking roof in Parliament.

"As an architect, I can tell you it is very bad. I don't want to hide anything from you. There is a lot of work to be done here," Samy was quoted as saying three days ago.

According to him, the repairs would involve removing concrete slabs, replacing plastic pipes with class-A cast iron pipes, waterproofing the roof and installing concealed ceiling equipment for heat protection.

Samy said that everyone was to be blame for the negligence by the Public Works Department and the Parliament's maintenance crew.

Karpal pointed out that RM90 million was spent to renovate the Parliament House two years ago whereby a large amount was used to repair the roof.

"Samy Vellu blames everyone except himself. As works minister, he has to take the blame," he stressed.

Samy must react

The DAP veteran also pointed out other incidents have marred Samy's credibility as works minister including roads and bridges that have collapsed as well as the erosion of hill slopes along the North-South and Eastcoast Highway.

"The roof of the Immigration Department building in Putrajaya recently collapsed causing extensive damage not only to the building but to the image of Putrajaya as the country's foremost symbol of architecture.

"The new multi-million ringgit courthouse complex in Jalan Duta has also shown cracks and had one of the court chamber's roof collapsing," he said.

Karpal noted that Samy should follow the example of South Korea and Japan where ministers have shown exemplary responsibility by stepping down in the event of mismanagement or negligence shown by heads of departments under them.

He then calls for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to review Samy's position in the cabinet if he doesn't voluntarily step down.

"The moral and vicarious responsibilities for the acts of his subordinates lie squarely on the shoulders of Samy. The ball is in his court. He must react," Karpal said.