What did Dr M do for Indians? Vell Paari told to ask his dad

Lim Kit Siang has acknowledged that MIC treasurer-general S Vell Paari raised valid questions with regard to the plight of the Indian community during Dr Mahathir Mohamad's 22-year tenure as prime minister.

However, the DAP veteran said Vell Paari's father, former MIC president S Samy Vellu, who served in Mahathir's cabinet during the two decades, should answer the questions.

In defending Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak saying that some have called him the father of the Indian community's development in Malaysia and shifting the spotlight on Mahathir, Vell Paari posed the questions below.

1. Who caused the reduction of Indians within the civil service?

2. Who caused the systematic displacement of Indians from estates and into downtrodden longhouses and shackles they were forced to live in?

3. Who initiated the unfair intake into universities?

Vell Paari also took a swipe at Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy for criticising Najib over his statement, and reminded the DAP leader of how he had once described the situation of Indians under Mahathir as the worst period for the community.

“These are valid questions, but the best person to answer these questions is none other than Vell Pari’s father, Samy Vellu, who was federal minister representing MIC and the Indian community during the whole period of 22 years when Mahathir was prime minister,” said Lim.

“In fact, Samy Vellu was a federal minister before Mahathir became prime minister and long after Mahathir had retired as prime minister,” he added in a statement.

Lim also asked Vell Paari to clearly state if he was repudiating his father's political legacy as a “dark chapter” in the history of Malaysian Indians.

“And if so, why is Samy Vellu continuing as Malaysia's special envoy on infrastructure to India and South Asia?

“Furthermore, is Vell Pari of the view that his father does not deserve the Tun-ship he was conferred on Sept 9?

“Is Vell Pari being unfilial just to pursue his own political fortunes at the expense of his father? Let Samy Vellu speak up,” he added.

Samy Vellu was the president of MIC from 1979 to 2010, for 11 consecutive terms. His first ministerial portfolio was also in 1979. However, he was defeated in his stronghold of Sungai Siput in the 2008 general election. - Mkini