Political Asset Turns Into Election Liability

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamed has labelled his former political ally Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu an election liability.

Piqued by the sharp criticism,Samy had shot back at Mahathir,stressing he was an asset to the ruling National Front led by Mahathir winning elections during two decades of Mahathirism.

Mahathir,known for his frank views,has suggested Samy should step down from the presidency of the Malaysian Indian Congress(MIC) to give way to new blood.

He has expressed his concern that Samy would be a liability to the ruling National Front government in the next Malaysian general election.

This is because it had lost the public trust,especially the support of the Malaysian Indian community.

An immediate poll on TV 7 prime news last night (Friday,Sept.18) after the hot news and fall-out between the two leaders showed 93 per cent were in favour of Samy's stepping down as MIC leader.

The aging MIC leader and all his "President's Men" swept the top posts in the MIC party polls last Saturday(Sept.12).

An MIC delegate aired his anger against Mahathir for openly voicing support for former MIC deputy president Datuk S.Subramaniam,earlier sidelined and edged out of power by Samy,to be voted for the MIC deputy presidency.

Samy's pet Datuk G.Palanivel,the incumbent MIC deputy president,fought off a strong challenge from Subramaniam who failed in his comeback bid,despite Mahathir's open support.

Mahathir's effort to stimulate MIC leadership change did not work.Instead,the irate MIC delegate proposed that MIC put a garland of slippers around Mahathir's neck to display their unhappiness over his interference in MIC party politics.

This bizzare suggestion has drawn hot criticisms from top United Malay National Organization(UMNO) leaders as most disrespectful and humiliating of an honored former Malaysian Premier.

Mahathir,in true razor-sharp form,cut out the nonsense.He pointed out that Samy ought to take responsibility for the rejection of the Malaysian Indian community of the National Front and step down from his post.

He stressed that his anointed successor,Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,had graciously relinquished his top posts as UMNO leader and Prime Minister to hand over duties in a smooth transition of power to Datuk Seri Najib Razak in April this year.

He stated that Abdullah had stepped down to take responsibility for the ruling National Front's disastrous performance in last year's historic March 8 political tsunami that swept the opposition coalition,People Alliance, to power in five of the 13 states of Malaysia -Penang,Kedah,Perak,Selangor and Kelantan.

He said Samy,a former Minister of Works in the Malaysian Cabinet, and MIC had lost the Malaysian Indian community support and confidence,even losing his Sungei Siput parliamentary seat,a National Front stronghold.

If Abdullah could resign because of failure and poor leadership.Why not Samy?

Winning party posts need not translate into winning people votes,he stressed.

Well,would Samy respect public opinion and advice from an old friend?