Back me to save democracy: Subra to MIC members
K PragalathPublished: Jun 26, 2009 9:29 AM | Updated: Jun 26, 2009 10:02 AM
Former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam today challenged party grassroots members and leaders to openly give him their support to face incumbent G Palanivel in the September party polls.
Former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam today challenged party grassroots members and leaders to openly give him their support to face incumbent G Palanivel in the September party polls.
He said that the grassroots party members, who ultimately decide on the successful nomination of candidates for the posts, should not be afraid of anyone in declaring their open support.
"They must have the courage to support a candidate who can serve the best for the party, community and country.
"Declare your support openly to save democracy," he told reporters after launching the Nesa Multipurpose Cooperative Society's 24th annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
He also threw a veiled attack at Palanivel, outlining as to how a deputy president should not be.
"A deputy must play a positive role for the party, community and the nation," he said.
"He should not just be a deputy under the shades," he added, in reference to the patronage granted by party president S Samy Vellu to Palanivel.
In the last party polls in June 2006, Samy Vellu had openly backed Palanivel to unseat Subramaniam from the deputy's post.
Speculations are rife that the president would once again back Palanivel although he has said that he would not endorse any candidate. Party division leaders and members are known for their loyalty to vote for whoever the president backs.
Apart from Subramaniam and Palanivel, the other candidate to have declared his interest is vice-president S Sothinathan. Party secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam is also expected to join the race.
In the past few weeks Samy Vellu had openly rebuked his former deputy Subramaniam and once blue-eyed-boy Sothinathan for challenging Palanivel.
When asked today on his campaign for the race, Subramaniam said: "it is in mid gear".
"The grassroots feel the need for a change in the party," he added.
The elections for the deputy president, vice presidents and central working committee members would be held on Sept 12.
Maika should look for highest bidder
Earlier, in his opening speech, Subramaniam also said that Nesa was not the stumbling block in the sale of Maika Holdings cash cow Oriental Capital Assurance Bhd.
The sale of the insurance company would have allowed the MIC investment arm to recoup sufficient money to repay its 66,000 shareholders.
However the sale has been put on hold following an injunction obtained by Nesa in September 2007.
"We will remove the injunction if Maika can find a higher bidder for the company," said Subramaniam.
Samy Vellu's fresh attacks on Subramaniam started about a month ago following Nesa's failure to remove the injunction. Samy Vellu had claimed that the injunction had stopped Maika Holdings from paying off the shareholders and losing its only potential buyer.
Nesa's injunction was based on the belief that Maika was underselling the insurance company.
Subramaniam also commented on the recent amendments to the Cooperative Societies Act 1993 which transferred the funds collected by the cooperatives to the hands of a government agency.
He said this was a misdirection and could destroy the growth of cooperatives.
He said that the grassroots party members, who ultimately decide on the successful nomination of candidates for the posts, should not be afraid of anyone in declaring their open support.
"They must have the courage to support a candidate who can serve the best for the party, community and country.
"Declare your support openly to save democracy," he told reporters after launching the Nesa Multipurpose Cooperative Society's 24th annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur.He also threw a veiled attack at Palanivel, outlining as to how a deputy president should not be.
"A deputy must play a positive role for the party, community and the nation," he said.
"He should not just be a deputy under the shades," he added, in reference to the patronage granted by party president S Samy Vellu to Palanivel.
In the last party polls in June 2006, Samy Vellu had openly backed Palanivel to unseat Subramaniam from the deputy's post.
Speculations are rife that the president would once again back Palanivel although he has said that he would not endorse any candidate. Party division leaders and members are known for their loyalty to vote for whoever the president backs.
Apart from Subramaniam and Palanivel, the other candidate to have declared his interest is vice-president S Sothinathan. Party secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam is also expected to join the race.
In the past few weeks Samy Vellu had openly rebuked his former deputy Subramaniam and once blue-eyed-boy Sothinathan for challenging Palanivel.
When asked today on his campaign for the race, Subramaniam said: "it is in mid gear".
"The grassroots feel the need for a change in the party," he added.
The elections for the deputy president, vice presidents and central working committee members would be held on Sept 12.
Maika should look for highest bidder
Earlier, in his opening speech, Subramaniam also said that Nesa was not the stumbling block in the sale of Maika Holdings cash cow Oriental Capital Assurance Bhd.
The sale of the insurance company would have allowed the MIC investment arm to recoup sufficient money to repay its 66,000 shareholders.
However the sale has been put on hold following an injunction obtained by Nesa in September 2007."We will remove the injunction if Maika can find a higher bidder for the company," said Subramaniam.
Samy Vellu's fresh attacks on Subramaniam started about a month ago following Nesa's failure to remove the injunction. Samy Vellu had claimed that the injunction had stopped Maika Holdings from paying off the shareholders and losing its only potential buyer.
Nesa's injunction was based on the belief that Maika was underselling the insurance company.
Subramaniam also commented on the recent amendments to the Cooperative Societies Act 1993 which transferred the funds collected by the cooperatives to the hands of a government agency.
He said this was a misdirection and could destroy the growth of cooperatives.
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