the SAKMONGKOL JOURNAL

Ayurvedic massage to expel MIC’s poison.

You expect this kind of thing to happen. For a party composed of members who think nothing of throwing chairs and projectiles and one even carrying a coffin to its assembly, this 'kichi mayung' thing is bound to happen. An overzealous MIC member, fed by urgings and maybe signals from top MIC leadership garlanded Tun Dr Mahathir's portrait with slippers.

This is a reflection of the mercurial temperament of MIC leaders. Each year, when Tun Dr Mahathir was PM, we feasted on the highest form of sycophantic adulation- Samy Vellu will hand feed some delicious Indian morsel into Tun M's mouth. Each year, the MIC leader will do that without fail. But then, no one need be surprised of such antics from a person capable of baring his hairy chest and asking another MIC member to fight with him.

Last week, in a blatant attempt to shift blame, Samy Vely stated that the MIC was broken because voters rejected BN. People he said, were not angry at him but at BN. The solution is simple then. If MIC's fortune is injured by being part of BN, then it should take the most honorable step to leave BN.

Then Samy Vellu and other MIC hotheads can test the veracity of Samy Vellu's claim. That MIC can fare better had it not been part of BN. Samy Vellu must take the step to disassociate MIC from a damaged brand. We would like to see, which constituency MIC members can make it on their own.

The BN can suspend MIC to also test Samy's claim. The BN has the responsibility not to impose its weakness on such an esteemed party representing an important group in Malaysia. Those who no longer have faith in BN's political philosophy should take the step of leaving it.

We have no reason to doubt the truth of Samy Vellu's claim. That MIC can best represent Malaysian Indian's interest even without being part of BN.

PM Najib can take this opportunity by dropping all the MIC members of cabinet and ministers not in cabinet from his team. Drop the MIC minister and the two deputy ministers. BN is only hampering its effectiveness to perform for the Malaysian Indians. BN and UMNO don't have to take insult from Samy Vellu and MIC. Ask them to leave the government temporarily sahaja to allow them to regain the confidence of Malaysian Indians. Surely, MIC's members of parliament and ADUNs can contribute without having the power of official positions.

This is a most practical way to help Samy Vellu and MIC to concentrate of effectively representing the Malaysian Indians. Why be part of a team that only slows you down and had caused irreparable damage to MIC. Why allow such shame be imposed on you by a discredited BN?

As a responsible senior partner, UMNO must assist MIC to overcome its misery.

But then, suppose the Malaysian Indians say, this is Samy Vellu. He does not represent the sobriety of an ethnic group proud of thousand years cultural heritage and the great Indian civilization. That Samy Vellu's brand of leadership which permits an incident such as this and other embarrassing episodes is but a grievous anomaly which does not reflect any aspect of Indian cultural heritage. Then as people proud of its thousand years civilization, the Malaysian Indians and MIC must do the next best thing- throw Samy Vellu out.

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