MP berated for 'taking down Samy', files report
Malaysiakini.com
Jul 28, 2008
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz

DAP parliamentarian Charles Santiago lodged a police report today over the incident where he was verbally abused by a group of men for ‘taking down’ MIC president S Samy Vellu.
MCPX

In Saturday’s incident, some 20 men surrounded the Klang MP and two others. The men verbally abused them and allegedly smashed the side mirror of a vehicle belonging to the politician’s personal assistant Sarah Devaraj.

charles santiagoRelating the incident, Santiago said he, Devaraj and two family members arrived at the Sri Muniandy temple in Port Klang to partake in its 25th year anniversary celebrations.

Upon nearing the temple located in a residential area, they found a Mercedes Benz blocking the road which prevented them from parking any nearer to the temple.

Requests for the Mercedes to be moved elsewhere were unsuccessful as its owner was absent and could not be immediately located. Deveraj then parked her car parallel to the Mercedes and they proceeded to join the temple celebrations.

Upon returning to the car a little after midnight, they found that the right-side mirror of her vehicle had been smashed.

By that time, several men, who had been drinking in front of a nearby house, came out and surrounded the four.

"One of them had even gotten on top of the car and jumped up and down on it," Santiago told Malaysiakini after lodging his report at the Klang district police headquarters.

"Another shouted at us and said ‘you brought down Samy Vellu,’" he added.

Not taking chances

In the commotion, Devaraj was shoved roughly by one of the men while another threatened a family member for having earlier taken a photograph of the Mercedes.

Santiago said the photograph was taken when one of his constituents sought a photo opportunity with him. The Mercedes was only coincidentally in the background, he added.

The commotion attracted the attention of those in the temple who came out to form a circle around Santiago and his group. They managed to bundle the four into the car and ensured their safe departure.

The arrival of police patrol cars a few minutes later saw to it that no untoward incidents occurred.

Unsure whether it was merely a case of inebriated youth trying to stir trouble or that of real bitterness against the opposition parties for MIC’s dismal performance in the March 8 polls, Santiago said he was lodging the police report to make sure a record of the incident was made.

"A little while earlier that day, we had organised a dialogue between local residents, the district police and the local council on crime prevention.

"Perhaps the incident is unrelated (to the dialogue), but we're not taking any chances," he said.

Samy: I've no qualms with him

Meanwhile, Samy Vellu blamed the incident on those trying to divert the good work undertaken by MIC.

samy vellu 010307"This incident is clearly well planned and my name has been misused by them.

"I believe (those responsible) have links to someone who has a criminal record," he said in a brief statement.

The MIC president added that he would request the Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan to initiate a probe.

Samy Vellu also said that he would contact Santiago to find out what really happened.

"I have no qualms with Charles (Santiago)," he added.

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