Over the weekend I attended a friend Indian wedding at their house in Puchong. Like any wedding, people congregate and start talking.
From family issues, the topic got quickly change to Samy Vellu, Hindraf and Barisan Nasional. From the chit-chat that took place I gather the following information which I wish to share with the readers.
Many people felt that Samy has stayed too long and most people there believe over the years what Samy has done through it’s political manoeuvring is that it has strengthen his own position. The removal of Subra, which was done over a period of four years (not giving his seat in Segamat and replacing with another candidate name Subra as well as openly attacking him and organising his removal from his post of MIC No 2) was actually one of the hot issues that was talked about. The general consensus is that many felt Samy should leave and Subra should be bought back into the limelight for the sake of the Indian community. There was a strong feeling that the recent changes in government approach in handling the racial issues in particular with the increase prominence of Indians faces over the Media (TV and printed), making Thaipusam a holiday for KL and Putrajaya, Ponggal festivities, highlights of Ponggal in the papers, etc., were all due to the indirect effort of HINDRAF and there seems very little appreciation for MIC.
Many felt that the government should release the HINDRAF 5 as soon as possible. Most do not believe the accusation made by the government that the Hindraf 5 is related to any terrorist group.There was a strong feeling that, the Indians will NOT VOTE BN CANDIDATES NATIONIWDE IF, SAMY STAYS ON AND THE HINDRAF 5 ARE NOT RELEASED.
Listening to all this talk, I began to sense that Samy is likely to be a liability to Barisan Nasional in the next GE. In areas where Indians votes can swing the decision of the election, the outcome looks poor for BN. To the PM and BN leadership, I suggest that you start listening to the people in the street more and get more ground level input rather than through your official channel. Your advisors are telling you what you want to listen. I wish you all the best in the coming election.
