exclusive Malaysiakini has obtained an audio recording of the alleged controversial remark by MIC president S Samy Vellu that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad had neglected the Indian Malaysian community under the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP).

It is learnt that copies of CDs (compact discs) containing the recording are currently making the rounds. [Click on the link to hear an edited version of the recording]

The purported audio recording of Samy Vellu's speech at the Johor MIC convention had him saying in Tamil that:

"Under the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP), Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad 'told' (to whom was not specified) that he said, 'I would give this and that' (for the Indian Malaysian community).

"But in the end, ' nehi '... in pure Hindi, it is to say no...in Tamil...did not give".

Earlier in his speech, Samy Vellu told delegates that MIC had "asked for a lot" under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) - unveiled this year - and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had agreed to the requests.

Samy Vellu also said that upon the request by MIC, Abdullah had assigned an "experienced and qualified" Indian Malaysian officer to ensure that these pledges were implemented.

The following is a translation of what Samy Vellu said:

"Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, we asked a lot from the Prime Minister (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi)... give our youths more training, help us improve our economic state, provide training for our children's advancement, give us the same kind of aid extended to the Malays to venture into business, he (Abdullah) agreed to give. Although he agreed, we are not satisfied.

"The reason for this (is because), under the 8MP, Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad told that he said, 'I will give this and that...' but in the end ' nehi '... In pure Hindi, it means to say no...in Tamil...did not give.

"Now, what have we done? To ascertain if we get (the pledges) or not, a (monitoring) body must be set up under the Prime Minister's Department. Only when we said if such a body is set up to monitor and do the preparations to ensure we get (what was promised). I am happy to inform you that the prime minister has assigned a credible and experienced Indian officer for this."

The two-and-a-half minute recording obtained by malaysiakini is an extract from the president's full speech.

Malaysiakini had checked with those who were at the Johor meeting to verify the authenticity of the recording.

"I can confirm it's part of his (Samy Vellu's) speech," said Malaysia Nanban editor M Rajan, whose reporter was present at the convention and had recorded the full speech.

A copy of the recording was also sent to Samy Vellu's press secretary E Sivabalan via email on Saturday for comment. However, malaysiakini has yet to receive any official response.

The 'nehi' controversy

The 'nehin' controversy began when Malaysia Nanban and Makkal Osai reported on May 17 that Samy Vellu had allegedly told an MIC convention the night before in Johor that Mahathir had failed to deliver the pledges made under the 8MP for the Indian Malaysian community.

Following this, Samy Vellu launched a scathing attack against the dailies and told malaysiakini that they were deliberately distorting his speech to serve the political agenda of his estranged deputy S Subramaniam.

He argued that Mahathir had given much to the Indian Malaysian community during his 22-year tenure and only a 'fool' would state otherwise.

On another occasion, he said that while the former premier had outlined plans to help the community, these were not implemented by those down the line.

However, the dailies stood by their reports and claimed to have audio recording of the speech, to which Samy Vellu had reportedly said: "Where are the recordings...? Play it. When I did not utter those words how are you going to show records. If someone acts like me then it is a different matter."

The president's angry supporters had also torched copies of the two dailies. The dailies also claimed to have received threatening phone calls from unidentified individuals.

Last week, Malaysia Nanban and Makkal Osai reported that they received legal notices from the MIC president's lawyer demanding a retraction of the reports and an apology.

Both dailies have refused to do so.

Subramaniam, who had since come under fire from the president almost on a daily basis, had also denied having a hand in the controversial report.

Samy Vellu had claimed that his deputy was resorting to underhand tactics because the party strongman had named current vice-president G Palanivel as his preferred choice for the number two slot at the June 24 party elections. Subramaniam had refuted this.

Last week, Mahathir said Samy Vellu had told him that he did not say "those things", and he believed his 'good friend'.

[Click here to hear an edited version of the recording]