KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 — In a strange reversal, former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu finds himself more popular now that he has retired, with Indians flocking to see and hear him speak at religious and cultural functions throughout the country.Many groups, temples and Tamil schools are inviting Samy Vellu, who retired on December 6 after 31 years as MIC president, for dinners, culture shows and Deepavali functions even though the festival is long over.
At these functions, Samy Vellu’s speeches are non-political, focusing on religion, culture and Tamil literature or just he talks about himself and his experience.“While as president he was derided, but after retirement he has become a celebrity,” said a Tamil school teacher. “People just want to see the great Samy Vellu after giving up power.”“He is a celebrity now,” said another teacher at a function in an estate in Perak last week which Samy Vellu attended. “People are curious, entire families are here just to see Samy Vellu.”
The Tamil newspapers also carry daily advertisements from individuals thanking the MIC veteran for the help he has given them and wishing him well in retirement, while welcoming Datuk G. Palanivel as his successor.
A senior MIC leader described the phenomenon as unusual.“People are relieved that Samy Vellu has retired but they are also curious about the man they loved to hate.“They want to see him at close quarters. There is a lot of curiosity about the man, how he really looks, talks, walks and sits and carries himself.
“There is a new generation out there who was taught to hate the man by their parents and through newspapers owned by Samy Vellu’s rivals. But now they want to see for themselves,” the MIC leader said, requesting anonymity.The older generation, which had invested their hard-earned savings in the failed Maika Holdings enterprise, grew to hate anything Samy Vellu and dumped the MIC in the 2008 general election.
While this generation also influenced their children to hate the MIC, but that hatred is dissipating gradually as a new man in Palanivel has taken over the party and is seeking to transform and make it more palatable to the alienated Indian community.Samy Vellu has taken on a new job as special envoy for construction to South Asian countries, a platform that he can exploit to stay in the public eye although his political grandstanding days are over.
Nevertheless his name and the baggage that he carries after such a long time in politics evoke awe among the Tamil masses, giving rise to a keen interest in the man.“Tamil people are getting fascinated with the man. It’s like going to a circus and watching a famous man-eating tiger. It can’t bite but can be admired from a distance,” said a prominent lawyer politically opposed to Samy Vellu.The fascination, another long-time critic of Samy Vellu said, is in his retirement.
“Many people actually thought and believed Samy Vellu would die in office. But that he actually gave up power and walked away amazes them,” he said.“But I believe the liking would turn to contempt if he talks politics or campaigns for his son Vel Paari,” the lawyer said. “He should stay retired and out of politics.”“I have a new life, new duties and enjoying it... come and see me sometimes,” Samy Vellu told this reporter last week.
Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/retired-samy-vellu-now-more-popular/
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