Samy Vellu may quit soon, but not before killing two birds
By JK Jayan, Free Malaysia Today
MIC is once again abuzz with speculation that its president of three decades S Samy Vellu would be vacating his post by the end of the year and an announcement on this would be made on Dec 18. This is the date set for the launching of Samy Vellu’s biography which is supposedly being penned by a prominent writer from Tamil Nadu.
It is said that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak would be launching the book and it is here that Samy Vellu is expected to announce his retirement either on Dec 31 or Jan 15 next year.
A grand farewell dinner is also scheduled to be held on the same day and would be attended by MIC’s rank and file.
However, the president’s recent moves has left many in MIC puzzled.
He has already announced the formation of 2,000 branches to strengthen the party in view of the forthcoming general election expected to take place within the next one to two years.
In his last public announcement about his retirement, he vehemently denied leaving soon, confirming once again that he would stick to his plan to step down in September 2011.
Over the last few days, he had been organising party meetings where all branch chairmen were summoned but there were no announcements regarding his retirement.
A snap presidential election?
These moves point to two possibilities: Either he is shoring up support among the faithful to continue remaining at the helm or he is preparing to hold a presidential election to elect the next leader.
The first possibility is a little far-fetched since it is clear that the Barisan Nasional would not want to face another general election with Samy Vellu helming MIC.
The second possibility is more likely since it is rumoured that ties between Samy Vellu and his annointed successor G Palanivel have become strained.
The branch chairmen, who would vote in the presidential election, could have been summoned in order for Samy Vellu to indicate that a different leader should be chosen.
MIC sources said that Samy Vellu’s decision to put a weak leader like Palanivel as number two was to ensure that the latter would always remain loyal, while the president exerted his power and consolidated his grip on the party and its valuable assets, namely MIED and Aimst University.
However, the outcome of the 2008 general election and the emergence of pressure groups like Gerakan Anti Samy Vellu (GAS) have thrown a spanner into the works.
Should Palanivel take over now, he might steer the party away from Samy Vellu in order to win back Indian support.
Friction over MIED suit
