PETALING JAYA: Former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam wants to play a role in revitalising the Malaysian Indian Congress.
In addition to this, he has called on every Indian to help MIC in whatever way he or she could.
Subramaniam has suggested that Indian-based parties like the Indian Progressive Front join forces with MIC.
Subramaniam said: "We should bring back all those who left the party so that the party can recapture lost ground. As a former MIC deputy president, I would like to offer my services."
He said Indians should feel they were part of the party and let bygones be bygones.
"The average Indian wants to become part and parcel of the party.
"If every Indian's heart is with the party, then why not all of us be under one umbrella," he said during a press conference at his residence yesterday.
He said MIC should put in place new strategies to lure other Indian-based party members to join MIC.
Subramaniam said he was willing to put aside his differences with MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for the sake of Indians and Barisan Nasional.
"If the party wants my services, I will accept. The position is not important at the moment," he said adding that he spoke to Samy Vellu two days ago.
It is learnt Subramaniam's call is part of an initiative by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is Barisan Nasional chairman, to bring Indians under a single party and consolidate the community under one banner.
It is also learnt that Samy Vellu has indicated he is not seeking a cabinet post but has instead suggested three names -- Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam (MP for Segamat), Datuk M. Saravanan (MP for Tapah) and S.K. Devamany (MP for Cameron Highlands) -- as MIC's representatives.
Asked if he thought race-based parties had lost their relevance in the country, Subramaniam said he did not think so.
"What is the reason for the formation of IPF? It is not a multiracial party.
"There are other MIC members who set up other Indian-based parties; they did not set up multiracial parties."
The other Indian-based party is former PKR member Datuk S. Nallakarupan's Malaysian United Indian Party.
Subramaniam said MIC should be people-friendly, not arrogant.
"It needs to get closer to the people. The party is weak.
"The MIC president has lost the election.
"I have no joy in seeing what we built being destroyed. As a long- standing member, I think we can bring in members who are not in the party."
He said the right talent should be recognised and young bright people should be identified to win the hearts and minds of the younger generation.
"We have to work very hard," he acknowledged.
Subramaniam is MIC division chief for the Seputeh constituency.
Should Samy Vellu resign?
"I don't believe that if he leaves the party it will regain its strength. But everyone has to leave at one point.
"I don't believe the party will automatically become strong if he leaves.
"We have to motivate people from inside and outside to become strong."
He said the party had also suffered badly in 1969 and lost many seats.
No comments:
Post a Comment