High noon ruckus at MIC HQ

Pandemonium erupted outside the MIC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today when two groups armed with banners and placards traded barbs and in some instances, even blows and water bottles.

One group of about 100 was led by Pakatan Rakyat heavyweights such as Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, Kapar MP S Manikavasagam, Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran and Perak executive councillor A Sivanesan.

The other consisted of MIC members and supporters who started to swarm the party headquarters since early morning to 'welcome' their rivals who wanted to submit a memorandum pertaining to Maika Holdings, the party's debt-ridden investment arm.

At about noon, the Pakatan group - which marched from some 200 metres away - arrived at the entrance of the MIC headquarters, carrying banners and chanting slogans.

By this time, the MIC group had swelled to about 300, and a large number of them poured onto the street - led by Youth national coordinator T Mohan - with banners demanding for an explanation on the Kampung Buah Pala land issue in Penang.

Sandwiched in between the two boisterous groups were scores of policemen who frantically tried to maintain order.

Ronnie Liu's surprise entry

Earlier, Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu caught everyone by surprise when he was the first to arrive at the MIC headquarters representing the Pakatan faction.

The DAP leader's unexpected solo presence left the MIC crowd looking puzzled, with some even quipping: "How many Maika shares do you have?"

Liu, who seemed equally perplexed about the overwhelming reception, which saw him mobbed by the supporters, flashed a big smile and shook hands with everyone.

Contacted later, Liu explained that he initially thought that the supporters present were from the Pakatan camp.

However, Liu was safely ushered to a meeting room in the MIC headquarters, where he had a discussion with Maika chief executive officer S Vell Paari.

While Liu and Vell Paari were having a chat inside the building, the situation outside continued to deteriorate to the point that a full-blown clash appeared inevitable.

Realising this, the police deployed several truckloads of Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel as well as a water cannon truck.

But even this failed to deter the angry mobs who continued to hurl insults, helmets and water bottles at each other.

At one point a scuffle broke out on the street, and scores of MIC supporters scaled the walls of the building and Pakatan supporters raced to the scene to join in the brawl. However, the police were quick to diffuse the tension.

Youth leader blames Pakatan

Around 12.30pm, Vell Paari emerged from the building, with his supporters and police personnel forming a human shield.

He then jostled his way through the rival mob, amid raining insults, to receive a memorandum from Ramasamy.

When he returned to the MIC compound, he was greeted with a hero's welcome, and the party supporters began to chant 'DAP Rasuah' and 'Hidup MIC'.

Speaking to reporters later, MIC Youth's Mohan blamed the Pakatan group for the chaos.

"They did not come to hand over a memorandum. They came with the intention of creating a ruckus. They provoked us and our boys got angry," he said.

As the bedlam unraveled outside, bringing traffic to a standstill as curious motorists lined a nearby flyover to watch the show below, MIC's top leaders, including president S Samy Vellu, were holding their central working committee meeting on the first floor.

Meanwhile, Dang Wangi police chief Mohd Zulkarnain Ibrahim said no arrests were made.

Some MIC leaders however expressed disappointment with today's incident, saying it would only bolster the perception that the party was more gangland than political.

On the same note, some blamed the Pakatan leaders, saying that Vell Paari was willing to meet them and have a discussion, but they chose to turn the situation chaotic instead.

SPECIAL REPORT: Maika - the failed venture

Additional reporting and photos by Andrew Ong.