Heed the GAS message, Samy told

Sunday, 30 May 2010 15:16


PETALING JAYA – Gerakan Anti-Samy (GAS) organiser V Mugilan declared the rally today a success after 4,000 people turned up for the event at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Seri Kembangan.


The rally was aimed at getting MIC president S Samy Vellu to step down after 31 years at the helm. Samy has said he will step down in September, 2011.

The crowd mingling in the hall prior to the start of the rally. — The StarStepping up the pressure

According to The Star, about 4,000 people had turned up. Mugilan was expecting a 15,000-strong crowd.

Nevertheless, he was satisfied with the turnout.

“This programme has succeeded in pressing Samy to step down.”

Speaking to reporters at the end of the rally, Mugilan said he was giving Samy a week to resign.

Samy had previously hinted of a early departure from the political scene if he was given other responsibilities.

Officials believed he was referring to the post as roving ambassador for infrastructure for South Asian countries which had been promised him by the government.

Earlier at the GAS rally, Mugilan had announced plans for a campaign to get 500,000 signatures to pressure the MIC supremo to resign.

Usual intimidation tactics

He had alleged that there were attempts by GAS opponents to undermine the rally by stopping buses carrying GAS supporters from Penang, Pahang, Kedah and Johor.

He said the opponents were spending RM5mil in the anti-GAS campaign and that one of his organiser had gone missing. He also said he had received death threats.
The event, which was to start at 2pm, was delayed an hour to allow more people to fill the hall.

In his speech, PJ Selatan division chief V Subramaniam @ Barath Maniam said Samy had sought his help in 1992 when police and the then ACA (now MACC) raided his office to investigate allegations of corruption involving 10 million Telekom shares allocated to MIC. He claimed MIC received only one million shares.


Paperwork as proof


He also showed a copy of a document signed by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad affirming that MIED was set up for the Indian community. He said he has the original document.
Mugilan had said yesterday that he would endorse Samy Vellu for life if the turnout for the mass gathering was poor.“It’s the struggle of the Indian community. If there is a crowd, then the message is clear. Samy Vellu must step down. If there is no crowd, I will say Samy Vellu has to stay on forever,” he had said at a press conference here.

Mugilan said that at least 300 branch chiefs and a large number of central working committee (CWC) members would attend the gathering at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Seri Kembangan.

Police to keep the peace


Mugilan, sacked CWC members KP Samy and G Kumara Aamaan and Barath Maniam said they would not appeal against their sacking if the gathering failed to happen.
Barath Maniam said he had alerted the police after receiving tip-offs that thugs had been hired to create trouble at the gathering.
I have notified the police and they said there will be enough personnel to monitor the situation,” he said.

MIC sec-gen sacked

Meanwhile, the drama in the MIC was stepped up when Samy sacked S Murugessan as party secretary-general today. He was replaced by Negri Sembilan chief T Rajagopalu.
Samy Vellu, in a statement via SMS to Bernama said V Mogan, state assemblyman for Jeram Padang, has been appointed as the new Negri Sembilan MIC chief replacing Rajagopalu while A Ganesan takes over as state deputy chief.Murugessan had criticised Samy's decision to sack leaders who had formed GAS.


Fallout

He had said the presidential power, which had been used to expel the four elected central working committee (CWC) members, should have been used as only a last resort and not the first option.
Murugessan, who is an elected member of the CWC, however, had declined to say whether he was backing demands for Samy’s immediate resignation.

Source : http://www.malaysianmirror.com