Prayers for the 'late' Samy Vellu

RK Anand | Jan 2, 08 2:58pm

The attacks and criticisms against MIC president S Samy Vellu have degenerated to macabre levels. While some might find this amusing, others have condemned it as being nothing more than meretricious politics. For some time now, unidentified groups have been circulating, among others, notices on the veteran politician's '16th-day funeral prayers'. Rumours are also rife that such prayers were actually carried out in several locations but this could not be confirmed. According to sources, there are numerous versions of the notice, which are also being forwarded via the internet. These notices have also been posted at various places, with one calling the MIC president as the Indian community's 'No 1 Killer'. The notice obtained by Malaysiakini is typical of the '16th-day funeral prayers' invitation advertised in newspapers. The notice, which contains a photograph of Samy Vellu flanked by oil lamps, urged the people to attend the event on Dec 25, 2007 near a riverbank in Batang Berjuntai. Apart from using derogatory words to describe the MIC president, the notice also accused him or enriching his family members and friends while the Indian community suffered. In view of this, the notice stated: "We call on the Tamil people of Batang Berjuntai to pray that his soul suffers in hell." Hindraf rally The notice also stated that Samy Vellu had 'passed away in embarrassment' after witnessing the Nov 25 rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). The protest, held in Kuala Lumpur, saw some 30,000 Indian Malaysians taking to the streets. The notice also carried swipes against Samy Vellu's family members, his deputy G Palanivel, vice-president S Sothinathan, secretary-general S Subramaniam and Youth chief S Vigneswaran. MIC and its leaders have come under intense pressure since the Nov 25 rally, which some observers have described as a 'political awakening' for the Indian community. Hindraf had also accused MIC of failing to represent the Indians, a charge which has been repeatedly denied by the party. The movement also ruffled feathers by claiming that the government had allegedly marginalised Indians and subjected them to ethnic cleansing. Five Hindraf leaders have since been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). 'Bunch of idiots' Meanwhile, Palanivel condemned the 'funeral prayer' notice when asked to comment on the distribution of such material. "It is not part of our culture to do this kind of thing to a person who is alive. It's very degrading," he told Malaysiakini. The MIC deputy president stressed that those who are religious and possess human values would not resort to such activities. "I do not think that the people are happy with such a negative activity," he added. Sothinathan, on the other hand, described those behind the notices as a "bunch of idiots who have no respect for their religion and culture." "Even animals would not do such things, these are people who do not know the Indian culture. If they are true Hindus, they would not do such things," he told Malaysiakini. "These people should stop blaming others, these are people who would not progress themselves or allow others to progress, they should not be taken seriously," he added. 'Mentally unstable elements' Also condemning the notices was MIC vice-president S Veerasingam. "It is very unbecoming of people to stoop so low for their own political agenda. This is the work of politically bankrupt and mentally unstable elements," he told Malaysiakini. "Samy Vellu is a great leader, we must not belittle his contribution to the community and nation. Let us respect and recognise him as a great leader," he added. Veerasingam also pointed out that MIC's main thrust has been in the field of education and "one man who has contributed immensely in this field is none other than Samy Vellu." Concurring with these views, a MIC grassroots leader, who declined to be named, said while some might argue that such actions reflect the anger felt by the community, it is nevertheless demeaning. "It is distasteful, to say the least. Such actions could backfire and see the support for Hindraf waning," he noted. "If they want to take on MIC, its president and other leaders, they should do it through the proper channels, such as the ballot box, and not resort to such crude and vile means," he added.

Chua quits all party, gov't posts

Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Jan 2, 08 3:44pm

Embattled MCA vice-president and Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek has today quit politics altogether by relinquishing all his party and government posts with immediate effect. He has also stepped down as the member of parliament for Labis. Up until his resignation today, he was also the party’s Johor state chief as well as the Batu Pahat division head. Chua, who turned 61 today, made this shocking announcement at a press conference at his ministry office in Putrajaya, which came a day after he vowed he would not resigned in the wake of his involvement in a sex video. He said that he has informed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and MCA president Ong Ka Ting of his decision. Chua was appointed health minister by Abdullah soon after the 2004 general elections. “I am relinquishing my position as health minister, MCA vice-president, Labis MP, Johor MCA liaison chief and Batu Pahat MCA division chief,” he said. Chua had been entangled in a sex scandal following the mysterious distribution of a video recording of his liaison with a woman he has described as a "personal friend". Yesterday he owned up to being the person in the video but stressed that he would continue performing his duties as a party leader and government minister. Today, flanked by his supporters from Johor, a calm Chua said that he arrived as the decision to resign because “the rakyat wants me to resign”. He said that he was disappointed that the people have adopted a holier-than-thou attitude in the matter. “I thought that by my admission of my involvement, the people would forgive me. But I thought wrong,” he said. “I won't be the first and I won't be the last (politician to be caught in such a situation),” Chua, a married man with three children, told the hastily convened news conference. "It is up to the public to judge me," he added. Chua said his family was fully supportive of his decision and admitted that the scandal was taking a toll. "I live in a very close-knit family but I am confident that my family will support me," he added. Video recorded two years ago The video is believed to have been taken from closed-circuit television and was recorded two years ago. Chua met Abdullah on Monday to discuss the situation and it was decided then that he had to go public with his identity. The resignation will hit Abdullah's government. He is expected to announce general elections this year although his administration's mandate runs until May 2009. Sex scandals among politicians are not uncommon in Malaysia, with several members of the ruling Umno having been forced to resign in recent years. Defiant to the last, Chua drew a line between his public and private life, refusing to comment on the incident portrayed in the tape. "If you want to discuss my private life, please do," he told reporters at his press conference. "Maybe you would like to watch the videotape with me."