The President’s Men
By M. K. Megan
Mar 3, 2006
New Staits Times

KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu today released a list of his favoured candidates for the MIC elections, with Datuk G. Palanivel’s name endorsed for the number two position

With the party president’s blessing, Palanivel will take on incumbent Datuk S. Subramaniam for the deputy president’s post, while current secretary-general Datuk S. Sothinathan has received the nod for one of the three party vice-presidencies, along with incumbents Datuk S. Veerasingam and Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar.

"I feel these are the people who should be elected," Samy Vellu said.

"I would like Nijhar to be re-elected because he can represent the voice of the community in Parliament, as the other candidates are deputy ministers and have a lot of work to do."

Palanivel is the Deputy Minister for Women, Family and Community Development, Veerasingam the Deputy Minister for Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, and Sothinathan the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environment. Nijhar is the MP for Subang.

Samy Vellu was speaking to reporters after the official welcoming ceremony for Iranian President Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at Dataran Parlimen here.

"Sothinathan has not contested in any party elections and that is why I am fielding him now. I don’t want him to be an appointed man all the time," Samy Vellu said, referring to Sothinathan’s appointment as party secretary-general in September 2000.

He said he made the choice after a survey he conducted through the short messaging system, telephone calls and visits to the grassroots.

The Works Minister said he had supported Palanivel to be the number two man for a long time, as "I need a person to work with me, a person to hand over the party to at the appropriate time".

He, however, said his decision to endorse the candidates does not stop other aspiring candidates from contesting any position.

"It would be undemocratic to tell anyone not to contest. If they deserve to be elected they will be elected."

Samy Vellu himself is expected to be returned unopposed as party chief on March 5, the nomination day for the presidency.

No other nomination is expected, and Samy Vellu, who turns 70 on March 8, is expected to lead the party for another term — his 10th as party chief.

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Friday/National/20060303073526/Article/index_html