MIC president S Samy Vellu has made a surprise visit to Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) national coordinator RS Thanenthiran, who has been hospitalised after suffering from a heart attack on Saturday.

"I was caught by surprise when he (Samy Vellu) and his aides suddenly came to see me,” said Thanenthiran, who is also seeking treatment at Penang’s Gleneagles Hospital for a heart and collar bone disorder.

hindraf thanethiran samy vellu hospital visit 010409 "Samy told me that he was concerned about my health and he would pray for my speedy recovery," he told Malaysiakini .

The embattled MIC chief had apparently set aside his busy campaign schedule in Bukit Selambau by-election to visit the local Hindraf leader yesterday at the hospital.

Thanenthiran was one of the many potential candidates overlooked by PKR in the April 7 Bukit Selambau by-election.

The party eventually picked greenhorn S Manikumar to fight against MIC’s veteran S Ganesan and 13 other Independents.

This led to Hindraf openly calling for a boycott of the by-election.

hindraf thanethiran in hospital 010409 01 The Hindraf leader said he was “pleasantly surprise” to see Samy Vellu even though Hindraf and MIC were bitter rivals in championing the plight of Indian Malaysians.

MIC’s massive electoral defeat in the general election last year was largely attributed to Hindraf’s aggressive campaign for the rights of the minority Indian community.

Barisan Nasional leaders have since argued that Hindraf’s army of saffron-clad supporters were among the major reasons for the ruling coalition’s electoral reverses in the national polls.

The opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition, comprising PKR, DAP and PAS, has made unprecedented political gains in the general elections, denying BN its two-third parliamentary majority and winning five state governments.

PKR's Manikavasagam also come a-calling

Thanenthiran is however bitter that no top leaders from the opposition Pakatan Rakyat had bothered to pay him a visit.

hindraf thanethiran in hospital 010409 03 "There was not even a courtesy phone call from (PKR leader) Anwar (Ibrahim) or anyone," said Thanenthiran, who is wearing a cervical traction to help straighten his body alignment and ease pain in his neck muscle.

However soon after that, PKR leader and Kapar member of parliament S Manikavasagam visited Thanenthiran at his hospital bed.

"I went at about 1pm and spend some time with him. He is recovering well. I think he needs the rest," he told Malaysiakini .

Manikavasagam said he did not discuss any political matters with the Hindraf coordinator.

He also denied sending out SMSes attacking Thanenthiran for deserting PKR and join hands with Samy Vellu.

"I did not send out those SMSes. I think it was sent out by our political enemies to draw a rift between PKR and Hindraf," he added.

manikavasagam visit thanethiran in hospital The message, among others, said Samy Vellu had paid RM50,000 for Thanenthiran's hospital bills.

"I saw today that Thanenthiran has an insurance medical card. I don't believe what was said in the SMS," he added.

He was also hopeful of solving whatever problems Hindraf has with PKR in Bukit Selambau, adding that he would be campaigning in the area from today.