Samy picks 15 new faces in line-up

KUALA LUMPUR: The promise of change among MIC's elected representatives was only more evident at the state level when Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu announced the party line-up yesterday.

The party, fielding 13 fresh faces and six incumbents at state level, elected to stick to seven of its nine members of parliament.


The party supremo, contesting in Sungai Siput for the ninth time, is sending Tapah MP Datuk S. Veerasingam, 69, to the Sungkai state constituency vacated by Datuk R. Ganeson.


The deputy domestic trade and consumer affairs minister's parliamentary seat goes to Federal Territory MIC chief Datuk M. Saravanan.


It is the end of the road for 72-year-old Subang MP Tan Sri Dr K.S. Nijhar, who is being replaced by Shah Alam division youth chief and central working committee member S. Murugesan.


Samy Vellu told a press conference yesterday that the party was keeping its promise to introduce fresh blood while retaining incumbents with experience.


Among new candidates at state level are lawyers Ananthan Subramaniam (Lunas) and Thangasvari Suppiah (Hutan Melintang); orthopaedic surgeon Dr Vasan Sinnadurai (Pasir Panjang); and teachers Krishnan Subramaniam (Bukit Selambau) and Mogan Velayatham (Jeram Padang).


Businessmen Ramasamy Muthusamy (Behrang) and former district councillor Munusamy Mareemuthu (Permas) join their ranks.


Also on the list are Krishnan Lechumanan (Prai), Mogan Velayatham (Jeram Padang), Perumal Rajoo (Asahan), Mohan Thangarasu (Batu Caves), Vidyananthan Ramanadhan (Kahang) and Soorianara-yanan Muniandy (Tenggaroh).

Samy Vellu said the MIC would swap the Ijok state seat in Selangor for Umno's Bukit Melawati seat.


He said the line-up comprised seven lawyers and two who had read law but had never practised.


"This is because we feel they will be able to discuss and negotiate issues plaguing the Indian community and bring it up to the government.


"This will help alleviate problems faced by the Indian community."


Positively gushing about the changes he was introducing, the party supremo was confident that he had met the aspirations of the community.


"We are giving the Indian community new candidates. We are confident they will vote for these new representatives.


"The people have said that they want to be represented by qualified persons and we are giving them people who will be able to look into their issues."


Asked what would happen if the mix of new and old candidates did not go down well with voters, he said he would not resign "just because two or three persons lose".


"(Do) you want me to take responsibility and resign? I will be destroying my party... I won't do that," he said.