As Samy Vellu tightens MIED grip, MIC squeezes back

By Baradan Kuppusamy

March 16, 2011

Samy Vellu has been accused of trying to hijack MIED from MIC. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 — Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu’s perceived attempt to consolidate control of the Maju Institute of Education Development (MIED) has spurred calls from MIC and the Indian community for Datuk G. Palanivel to be given the reins of the party’s education wing.

MIC divisions are openly urging Samy Vellu to step down from the education arm, along with Indian non-governmental organitsations (NGOs) and social organising who say the best way to ensure MIED remains within MIC is for Samy Vellu relinquish his seat as MIED chairman.

Yesterday, the Johor Baru MIC division set the ball rolling by convening a meeting to pass a resolution demanding that the MIED remains with the MIC.

The division’s chairman, Datuk S. Balakrishnan, said every MIC branch had donated to the building of AIMST University.

“Lottery tickets were sold to the public to raise funds. The MIED should not go into the hands of an individual,” Balakrishnan, a veteran MIC leader, said.

“Whoever is MIC president should be the MIED chairman as well,” Balakrishnan added.

“There is no sure and better way than for Samy Vellu top quit as MIED chairman,” said Klang businessman KP Samy, a former MIC central working committee member who was sacked last year for urging Samy Vellu to step down as MIC president.

“He should quit MIED,” he said.

Calls for Palanivel to take Samy Vellu’s place did not receive universal support. — file pic

Samy Vellu retired as MIC president on December 6, after three decades in power, but remains as MIED chairman.

Last month, he sparked controversy by trying to add ten chairs to the MIED, which his critics claim was an attempt to solidify his grip on the education wing after some members began siding with Palanivel.

The move was blocked when the former president’s arch rival, Datuk S. Subramaniam, and two other MIED members obtained an injunction to stop Samy Vellu from increasing the body’s membership. The case will be heard tomorrow.

The MIED, which owns AIMST University, is said to be worth RM1.6 billion.

It was incorporated as company limited by membership in 1984 and was always advertised to the Indian community as MIC’s education arm.

Lately, however, Samy Vellu and his supporters have argued that MIED had no affiliations with MIC other than that some of its leaders are also members of MIED.

These statements had angered the Indian community, who view the AIMST University — to which they had donated generously — as theirs.

The government had also given a RM300 million grant for AIMST’s construction.

But not all quarters support the call for Samy Vellu to be replaced by the same man who succeeded him in MIC.

“Kicking out Samy Vellu for Palanivel does not change anything. We are just exchanging one politician for another,” said a retired University of Malaya academician, who requested anonymity.

He said the MIED should be headed by academicians and other professionals.

“A panel of local and international experts can be appointed to manage MIED and AIMST University,” he said, adding that political infighting should not affect the university’s management.

Another former Universiti Sains Malaysia don echoed his views, “Politics and the struggle for academic excellence should not mix.”

“Let’s do it like UTAR,” she said referring to the MCA-owned University of Tunku Abdul Rahman that is run by a panel of eminent people. - Malaysian Insider