After coming under a scathing attack from MIC president S Samy Vellu, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof P Ramasamy immediately challenged the veteran politician to an open debate in Bukit Selambau during the upcoming by-election.

The DAP leader said the debate should be held before the April 7 by-election in order to determine who has contributed more to the Indian Malaysian community.

In a statement this morning, Samy Vellu claimed that Ramasamy's appointment has not benefitted the Indian community.

"What good is it to have an Indian placed in a very powerful and influential post but yet he has not done anything for the community, let alone for the other races," he had said.

p ramasamy Dismissing the MIC president’s remarks as a "joke", Ramasamy questioned whether Samy Vellu was still an effective representative of the community.

"Samy Vellu had lost his parliamentary seat in Sungai Siput in the general elections," he told Malaysiakini.

Ramasamy also said a substantial number of Indians reside in the states controlled by Pakatan Rakyat, implying that the community had largely voted in favour of the opposition

He also pointed out that despite being a minority in Parliament, Pakatan Rakyat has more Indian representatives compared to Barisan Nasional and MIC.

"In fact, when I attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Indian Diaspora Conference) in India recently, I told Vayalar Ravi (Indian Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs) that Samy Vellu could no longer speak for the Indian community in Malaysia," he said.

Samy Vellu should step down

Ramasamy also claimed that Pakatan Rakyat has done more for the Indian community over the past 11 months since coming to power than what BN has done in decades.

"I do not go around boasting that I am the representative of Indians. I have never been alleged of squandering public funds and my reputation has never been tainted by scandals.

samy vellu exclusive on tamil schools 080708 06 "Perhaps he (Samy Vellu) should stop talking before he alienates the Indian community further," he added.

Describing Samy Vellu as a "spent force", Ramasamy said: "Here is a man who has no respect for democracy, his fellow leaders in MIC or dissidents within the party."

"There is no democracy in MIC because no one can contest effectively against him. In fact, many Indians believe their community has not progressed precisely because of leaders like him.

"Perhaps the best thing that he can do for the Indian community is to make an early exit before he continues to mislead them," he added.

Responding to a question, the deputy chief minister maintained that he stood for elections on a multiracial platform.

"Samy Vellu may think that he represents the Indians. I would like to think that I represent Malaysians," he said.