'Fake friends and axes': Samy flays Subra again
Jun 14, 09 7:56pm
MIC president S Samy Vellu today lashed out again at his former estranged deputy S Subramaniam over the Maika Holdings issue.
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Accusing him of wanting to destroy his reputation, the president took Subramaniam to task for not withdrawing the injunction which prevents Maika Holdings from selling its cash cow Overseas Capital Assurance Bhd (OCA
to reimburse its shareholders.
subramaniam samy vellu and micMaika Holdings is the debt-ridden investment arm helmed by Samy Vellu's son, Vell Paari. The injunction was filed by Nesa Cooperative which is linked to Subramaniam.
Last week, Subramaniam clarified that Nesa was not against the sale of OCAB and was ready to rescind the injunction should Maika fulfill certain requirements.
However, Samy Vellu said the decision had an ulterior motive.
"He does not want to withdraw the injunction because if Maika is unable to sell OCAB and pay its shareholders, 'Samy Vellu's' name would be destroyed," he told reporters in Ipoh.
"They want to destroy us," he said, adding that he is not afraid to face a battle.
Stressing that his main concern was to find a new buyer for OCAB, Samy Vellu however expressed concern that it could be difficult to secure a buyer willing to pay the RM130 million offered previously.
'I want a deputy who can work with me'
Samy Vellu also said he hated people who were only friends on the surface but enemies within.
"If I hated someone, I would tell him to his face. I won't act like a friend and then hold an axe to his back," he said, without naming anyone.
This is Samy Vellu's second attack on Subramaniam over the last two weeks.
Subramaniam is attempting to reclaim his position in the coming Sept 12 party elections after losing the post to G Palanivel in 2006.
Meanwhile, Samy Vellu said he wants a deputy who will be able to work with him and have deep concern for resolving the problems of the Indian community.
The veteran politician said he has yet to determine who the right candidate was.
"All contestants must abide by the party regulations. As party chief, I will monitor this. Members cannot do whatever they like as this will be to the party's detriment," he added.
Samy Vellu, who was returned unopposed as party president in March, had said that this would be his last term and that whoever gets elected as the deputy president would take over the presidency after him.
Although Samy Vellu has yet to openly endorse anyone for the number two slot, speculation is rife that he is backing Palanivel.
The speculation intensified when the president took swipes at both Subramaniam and another hopeful vice-president S Sothinathan during a recent function, with Palanivel seated by his side.
'Look towards the future'
In another development, Palanivel today urged MIC to focus on the future of Indian Malaysians instead of talking about past achievements.
palanivel"Let history judge us on our achievements. Let's think deeply about our future.
"We must inspire our community to think about their future," he said in his opening speech at the Selangor MIC Youth meet.
Palanivel also urged MIC Youth to embark on introspection and meticulously plan its actions, progress and direction for the next five years.
He said the wing also needs to identify its priorities in terms of the needs of the community.
"MIC Youth has a lot of work on its hands - to involve the participation of all Indian youths in the country. It is a huge challenge which I sincerely believe it can do and will rise up to meet successfully.
"At this point in the history of our country, considering the role and place of Indians, we have no choice but to succeed.
"The youths need to focus on their strengths and build further on them. And, as those of us who know only too well, weaknesses in our midst can and will be exploited," he said in a statement.
"What do Indian youths expect from politics and political leadership? What can MIC offer? What are the areas we have been successful in and what are the areas in which we have failed?
"These are the serious questions that must be addressed with honesty and without fear. Unless we are brave enough to seek truthful answers, we cannot plan and execute our success stories for the coming years. That is our first order of work - clarity in our thinking on our road to success," he said.
Palanivel also said that the Youth wing needed committed leaders, willing to work and travel the tough road ahead.
"We need youth leaders who understand how to work and make the best use of the 'elder' and experienced leaders' input because there are far too many lessons that we have learnt and which we need to hand down and 'enrich' the youth," he said.
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