Defeated Subra likely to face the music

(NST) KUALA LUMPUR: It would appear that MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu is going for the jugular.

And his target is former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam, who is likely to face a second round of disciplinary action. Samy Vellu said yesterday Subramaniam would be referred to the disciplinary committee for bringing more than 500 youths to disrupt the party’s annual general assembly at Putra World Trade Centre here on Saturday.

“The disciplinary committee will decide on the charges against Subramaniam. We will definitely haul him up before the committee.”

He said the youths, wearing Subramaniam T-shirts, were taken there with the purpose of frightening the delegates into voting for him.

“We have informed the relevant authorities. We will take action against Subramaniam.”

He said some of the youths entered the hall when the voting was in progress and officials had a tough time ejecting them.

“I have never seen such an incident during MIC general assemblies.”

Last week, Samy Vellu said the party would send a showcause letter to Subramaniam for his comments on an allegation of “stolen votes” made by former vice-president Datuk V. Govindaraj. Govindaraj allegedly said he pocketed 30 of the votes in the contest for the party deputy presidency between Samy Vellu and Subramaniam in the 1977 party polls. Samy Vellu won by 26 votes.

On Saturday, Subramaniam lost in his bid to wrest the No. 2 post from incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel. Samy Vellu said Subramaniam’s newspaper, Makkal Osai, should stop publishing lies which were undermining MIC’s credibility.

“He was willing to go to the full extent, including seeking outside help, to win the post. He can’t be forgiven.”

On Subramaniam’s statement that his loss was due to money politics, he said there was evidence that Subramaniam had practised money politics by promising to give money to delegates who voted for him.

Commenting on the speech by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the opening of the general assembly, Samy Vellu said the Barisan Nasional chairman had given friendly advice to all component parties in BN and was not specifically referring to the delegates to elect anyone in particular.

“We are very happy the prime minister spoke his mind and we will work hard to bring the Indian community back to the Barisan.”