Vell Paari rapped for threatening Palanivel

MIC's strategy director comes under attack for issuing an ultimatum to party president through an open letter

PETALING JAYA: MIC central working committee (CWC) member KP Samy today lambasted the party’s strategy director, S Vell Paari, for his threat against the party and its president through an open letter yesterday.

“Paari should use proper channels of communications in the party. You can write a letter to the president but why make it public? If you are sincere, you should have brought the matter to the CWC and not write according to your whims and fancy, and then call it an open letter.

“Why should a letter written to the president be made public? He just wants to be a hero…but this is making him a zero,” KP Samy told FMT.

Yesterday, Paari revealed that he had sent a letter to party president G Palanivel asking for the government to initiate action against Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali for making comments insulting Indians in the country.

Among others Paari wanted Palanivel to bring the matter up to the cabinet so that action can be taken against the two. If Palanivel fails, then Paari, threatened, that he would ask the community to vote for the opposition at the next general election.

He also challenged Palanivel to sack him for the open letter.

“Sacking is not MIC’s culture. Palanivel has never encouraged expelling or suspending party members. He is not going to sack anyone,” said Samy.

Not the time to go against party

Samy said Palanivel was aware of the attacks against Indians by the two named above and had planned to take the issue up to the cabinet.

“I spoke to Palanivel this morning, MIC will act on this. He is willing to bring up the issue using the right channel. I have faith in him and I know he will not let the people down, let alone the Indian community,” he added.

Samy also claimed that he had spoken to Vell Paari personally questioning him of his actions and expressing his disappointment.

The MIC veteran agreed that action should be taken against both Ridhuan and Ibrahim Ali, but was disappointed with Paari’s actions.

“Vell Paari is a good friend of mine, he is also a CWC member and a strategist for the party. But I think going against the party is not a good move, he should be more careful with what he says,” said Samy

He now he has doubts about and wondered if Paari was campaigning for the Barisan Nasional (BN) or the opposition coalition.

“You are the son of Samy Velu and have been with the MIC for about 30 years, what made you come up with an ultimatum aimed directly at the party president all of a sudden? Is this his excuse to exit the party? You could have approached anyone for that matter, why Palanivel directly?

“This is a very crucial time with the general elections around the corner, now is not the time to go against your own party,” he said.