MIC president S Samy Vellu has directed the Penang chairperson Dr K Rajapathy and secretary PK Subbaiyah to end their "personality war" and to work together to improve the lot of Indian Malaysians in the state.

"It seems (it was) easier to build the Penang Bridge than (to forge) close ties between two leaders," Samy Vellu said when opening the Penang MIC 59th annual convention over the weekend.

To prove that he meant business, he issued a two-week ultimatum to the duo to draft a schedule to implement the 'one MIC branch - one weekly programme' plan for the state.

"I want Dr Rajapathy and Subbaiyah to work closely to implement it. The working paper should be on my table in two weeks time," he said.

"We cannot afford to have two leaders fighting. It's important for them to work together to safeguard and enhance the Indian community's interests in the state."

Severe split

Under the project, each of the 187 MIC branches will take turns to organise a weekly public-orientated programme. All other branches are to provide financial and moral support.

The programme is intended to serve the Indian Malaysian community, from which the MIC derives its support, and to demonstrate political strength and solidarity.

The fact that it needed the national president to intervene and enforce a truce is indication of the severity of the split based on the personality politics in which both leaders have indulged.

The factionalism was triggered by the decision by party leaders, notably Samy Vellu, to appoint Subbaiyah as state executive councillor while retaining Rajapathy as state chairperson.

This created a dilemma for nearly 50,000 Penang MIC members, who have had to deal with two state party 'daddies' over the past 13 months.

Although delegates at the convention were surprised by the public ticking-off, they were pleased that moves are being made to resolve the problems.

"Although it will not mend their political differences, the president's speech will force them to work together now," said a branch leader who requested anonymity.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini's Penang-based stringer.