Samy Vellu finally forced to retire but will that really help ?
Samy Vellu lays red carpet for own exit
A new and glowing book; a grand 10,000-attendee dinner on December 18 at the Mines Convention Centre, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak possibly in attendance; and an expected new posting as Special Envoy for South Asia are among the highlights of the grand sent off.
“It will be a night to remember,” an MIC leader said. “The book is about the ‘Legend of Samy Vellu’.”
If it all goes well even a Tunship may be in the offing, MIC sources added.
In his rounds around the country — he has so far covered Perak, Kedah, Penang and Perlis — Samy Vellu has hinted at his exit but has stopped short of providing a firm date.
“That date, I will announce before I leave,” he says leaving MIC members — both supporters and detractors — guessing.
His last day has been variously speculated to be either December 31 or January 15.
Samy Vellu has cleverly used the news of his exit as bait during his tour, but ultimately keeps the actual day close to his chest.
“I am leaving but [when, I won’t] tell,” he said delegates in Perak last week. “But this is the last time I am meeting you all as party president.”
In Kedah a few days later, he said the same thing. “I am leaving and Palanivel will take over. But the date, I will announce later,” he told the attendees.
While some of his diehard supporters are hoping he leaves later rather than sooner — mainly because they can enjoy the perks and stand to inherit power in the party — the new team preparing to take over is hoping for the long-serving president to expedite his exit.
During his tour, Samy Vellu, 74, said he will hand the reins to his deputy, Datuk G. Palanivel, who will be the acting president until when an election is held to decide a permanent successor.
Samy Vellu himself was acting president from 1979 when he took over after president Tan Sri V. Manicavasagam died, until 1981, when he was elected president without contest in a deal that saw his rival Datuk S. Subramaniam elected as deputy, also uncontested.
This time, it is a tussle between Palanivel and vice president Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, who is expected inherit most of Samy Vellu’s supporters after his departure.
In an ironic twist, Subramaniam’s supporters are expected to back Palanivel if the former does not contest for the president’s post.
Party elections are, however, not the priority now.
Najib is determined not to let the MIC stalwart’s departure trigger infighting for his vacant spot.
“His (Najib’s) priority is to get the party ready to face the voters and not see another round of in fighting in the MIC,” said a senior MIC leader.
“The priority is to cross [the next general election],” he said. “We need time to prepare the party, heal the wounds and face the voters in a new and vigorous way.”
Having populated the Central Working Committee and the party’s various wings with his allies and supporters, a retired Samy Vellu still is expected to wield influence on the MIC while officially heading the party’s education ventures, which will come under an umbrella body owned by the MIC, but with him as chairman.
As a South Asian Special envoy, he stands to be given an office in Putrajaya along with possibly a ministerial rank. He may also be involved with securing construction contracts — his expertise — for Malaysian companies in the region.
Comments