‘Don’t break the temple, sack the priest’

The remark by MIC vice-president M Saravan, say certain observers, may have been aimed at party president G Palanivel.

PETALING JAYA: In a cryptic statement, MIC vice-president M Saravanan said that the temple should not be torn down if devotees are unhappy with the manner in which mantras are being recited.

Instead, he added, the priest should be changed.

To some observers, Saravanan’s statement could be targetted at MIC president G Palanivel, who is known to be a religious man, but the latter’s leadership style had come under criticism.

However, Saravanan, a deputy minister, who was speaking at a book launch over the weekend, did not elaborate.

It was an open secret that many in MIC were not satisfied with Palanivel, who among others had been accused of lacking the grassroots touch and being evasive of the media.

Palanivel had succeded S Samy Vellu after the latter stepped down in December 2010.

Pampering for votes

During his speech, Saravanan also said that both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat were pampering the Indian community, not out of concern, but rather to lure their votes.

According to Tamil daily, Malaysia Nanban, he said that Indians must be united especially with the rising number of Indonesians in this country.

The Tapah parliamentarian revealed that the total number of Indonesians already outnumbered the Indians.

“What would happen after 20 years if the government considers giving citizenship to them? We would lose our position, perhaps the government would overlook us then,” he added.

Citing the recent visits to the Batu Caves temple by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Selangor Mentri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, Saravanan said the pair went there not to pay homage to Lord Muruga but to gain the support of the Indian community.