It is now official. MIC deputy president S Subramaniam has been dropped from the party line-up and his boss remains tightlipped on the reason.

Announcing the candidates list today, party president Samy Vellu said he was merely making some changes to the line-up

"I'm not dropping (anyone), I'm just changing (them). I want to see new faces in the party," he said.

He continued dodging questions on the matter throughout the press conference at the Works Ministry in Kuala Lumpur which lasted 30 minutes.

Subramaniam was the only notable absence at the press conference.

His replacement for the Segamat constituency in Johor would be the incumbent's namesake, Dr S Subramaniam, the party's Malacca deputy chairperson.

Samy Vellu was also confident that Subramaniam's absence in the line-up would not undermine MIC's performance in the coming election.

"It will be just like in previous elections. We will work to win," he stressed.

'President's camp'

On whether there would be trouble from his deputy's camp, Samy Vellu said: "There is only one camp, that of the president's."

He added that it would be good if deputy chief Subramaniam could work together with the new faces for the party.

"(But) I won't force him. Usually, new candidates are guided by the incumbent leaders. That is what I expect will follow after this," he said.

The president also refused to be drawn into describing his relationship with his deputy, saying that he only wished to talk about the election and MIC's preparations.

On whether the decision had anything to do with the Maika Holdings share scandal which resurfaced late last year, he replied: "I've already (given) my reason earlier... it is to have new faces in the party."

Despite numerous attempts, Subramaniam could not be reached for comment.

The line-up

The MIC will contest in 19 state and nine parliamentary constituencies this time around.

Apart from Dr Subramaniam in Segamat, the two new parliamentary seats of Kota Raja and Cameron Highlands will be contested by MIC Youth chief S Vigneswaran and well-known education institution Sri Murugan Centre's co-director K Devamany respectively.

The remaining incumbents will defend their parliamentary seats.



In the state line-up, four new faces will contest in the new seats of Bagan Dalam (Penang), Behrang (Perak), Kahang (Johor) and Gambir (Johor). They are lawyer P Subbaiyah, senator R Appalanaidu, lawyer S Ramish and M Asojan respectively.

When met after the press conference, Dr Subramaniam said he will "take things as it comes along".

The first-time contender, a dermatologist based in Malacca, said he would welcome any help from the MIC deputy president.

"It only takes about 45 minutes to go to Segamat. I will definitely work towards winning as I'm going in as a parliamentary candidate," he said.



Vigneswaran, who attributed his selection as a recognition of the Youth wing's contribution and support, pledged to strive not to disappoint his constituents.

"My aim is to be more service-orientated. As a local, I don't see many outstanding issues in Kota Raja.

"I will focus more on national issues in line with the PM's thrust for a clean and corrupt-free administration."

Acknowledging the opposition's strength, he added: "I will not underestimate their influence."

Hour-long lecture

Earlier, Samy Vellu said the new candidates had been given an hour-long lecture on pre- and post-election matters.

"They were told to take care for their voters and to be with the voters at all times, even when they are not needed.

"They are also expected to uphold the party name and to try and understand the needs of the people, especially the poor and the marginalised," said the president, who will de defending his Sungai Siput seat in Perak.

He said the new candidates are required to submit monthly reports on their respective areas, be prepared for active debate in parliament and raise state-level matters regularly.

Each candidate is also expected to have a house in his or her constituency in order to visit the area on a regular basis.