Prayers for the 'late' Samy Vellu

(Sothinathan)
(Palanivel)

The attacks and criticisms against MIC president S Samy Vellu have degenerated to macabre levels.

While some might find this amusing, others have condemned it as being nothing more than meretricious politics.

For some time now, unidentified groups have been circulating, among others, notices on the veteran politician's '16th-day funeral prayers'.

Rumours are also rife that such prayers were actually carried out in several locations but this could not be confirmed.

According to sources, there are numerous versions of the notice, which are also being forwarded via the internet.

These notices have also been posted at various places, with one calling the MIC president as the Indian community's 'No 1 Killer'.

The notice obtained by Malaysiakini is typical of the '16th-day funeral prayers' invitation advertised in newspapers.

The notice, which contains a photograph of Samy Vellu flanked by oil lamps, urged the people to attend the event on Dec 25, 2007 near a riverbank in Batang Berjuntai.

Apart from using derogatory words to describe the MIC president, the notice also accused him or enriching his family members and friends while the Indian community suffered.

In view of this, the notice stated: "We call on the Tamil people of Batang Berjuntai to pray that his soul suffers in hell."

Hindraf rally

The notice also stated that Samy Vellu had 'passed away in embarrassment' after witnessing the Nov 25 rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

The protest, held in Kuala Lumpur, saw some 30,000 Indian Malaysians taking to the streets.

The notice also carried swipes against Samy Vellu's family members, his deputy G Palanivel, vice-president S Sothinathan, secretary-general S Subramaniam and Youth chief S Vigneswaran.

MIC and its leaders have come under intense pressure since the Nov 25 rally, which some observers have described as a 'political awakening' for the Indian community.

Hindraf had also accused MIC of failing to represent the Indians, a charge which has been repeatedly denied by the party.

The movement also ruffled feathers by claiming that the government had allegedly marginalised Indians and subjected them to ethnic cleansing.

Five Hindraf leaders have since been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

'Bunch of idiots'

Meanwhile, Palanivel condemned the 'funeral prayer' notice when asked to comment on the distribution of such material.

"It is not part of our culture to do this kind of thing to a person who is alive. It's very degrading," he told Malaysiakini.

The MIC deputy president stressed that those who are religious and possess human values would not resort to such activities.

"I do not think that the people are happy with such a negative activity," he added.

Sothinathan, on the other hand, described those behind the notices as a "bunch of idiots who have no respect for their religion and culture."

"Even animals would not do such things, these are people who do not know the Indian culture. If they are true Hindus, they would not do such things," he told Malaysiakini.

"These people should stop blaming others, these are people who would not progress themselves or allow others to progress, they should not be taken seriously," he added.

'Mentally unstable elements'

Also condemning the notices was MIC vice-president S Veerasingam.

"It is very unbecoming of people to stoop so low for their own political agenda. This is the work of politically bankrupt and mentally unstable elements," he told Malaysiakini.

"Samy Vellu is a great leader, we must not belittle his contribution to the community and nation. Let us respect and recognise him as a great leader," he added.

Veerasingam also pointed out that MIC's main thrust has been in the field of education and "one man who has contributed immensely in this field is none other than Samy Vellu."

Concurring with these views, a MIC grassroots leader, who declined to be named, said while some might argue that such actions reflect the anger felt by the community, it is nevertheless demeaning.

"It is distasteful, to say the least. Such actions could backfire and see the support for Hindraf waning," he pointed out.

"If they want to take on MIC, its president and other leaders, they should do it through the proper channels, such as the ballot box, and not resort to such crude and vile means," he added.

Chua quits all party, gov't posts

Embattled MCA vice-president and Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek has resigned from all his posts both in the party and the government with immediate effect.

He has also resigned from his post as the member of parliament for Labis. Up until his resignation today, he was also the party’s Johor state chief as well as the Batu Pahat division head.

Chua, who turned 61 today, made this announcement at a press conference at his ministry office in Putrajaya.

He said that he has informed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and MCA president Ong Ka Ting of his decision.

Chua was appointed health minister by Abdullah soon after the 2004 general elections.

Chua has become entangled in a sex scandal following the mysterious distribution of a video recording of his liaison with a woman he has described as a "personal friend".

Yesterday he owned up to being the person in the video but stressed that he would continue performing his duties as a party leader and government minister.

Today, flanked by his supporters from Johor, a calm Chua said that he arrived as the decision to resign because “the rakyat wants me to resign”.

He said that he was disappointed that the people have adopted a holier-than-thou attitude in this matter.

“I thought that by my admission of my involvement, the people would forgive me. But I thought wrong,” he said.

New Year special prayers for HINDRAF 5 in Penang Sri Tanir Malai Temple today

M'sian minister admits to sex video, won't resign.

Mr Chua, who is married, said he did not make the DVDs, which the Star said were closed-circuit recordings in a hotel room. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR - A MALAYSIAN minister admitted on Tuesday he was featured in a widely circulated sex video, triggering a fresh scandal that could deeply embarrass the government ahead of snap elections.
Health Minister Chua Soi Lek said he has apologised to the prime minister and other party leaders over the scandal, but added that he would not resign from the cabinet.

'I am the man in the tape. The girl is a personal friend,' the 60-year-old said in a statement released at a news conference in his home state of Johor bordering Singapore.

His admission came hours after the local Star newspaper said two DVDs, showing a man resembling a senior politician and a woman engaging in various sexual acts, were being widely distributed in the state.

Mr Chua, who is married, said he did not make the DVDs, which the Star said were closed-circuit recordings in a hotel room.

One DVD lasted 56 minutes and the other 44 minutes.

'I would like to emphasise I did not make the tape myself,' he said. 'Who have done this is not important. What is most important is that my family, wife and children have accepted my apology.'

Mr Chua, a leader of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), part of the ruling coalition, said he had met the prime minister over the incident.

'I have seen Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy PM Najib (Razak) and MCA president Ong Ka Ting and I have personally apologised to them. I appeal to the press to give me and my family some space during this difficult time.'

Mr Abdullah's four-year-old administration has been saddled with major political problems lately, a sign he may be forced to delay elections beyond March, when many had expected them to take place.

In late November, more than 10,000 ethnic Indians took to the streets in an unprecedented protest to complain of racial discrimination. -- REUTERS

S’porean artist on 5—day fast to protest Hindraf 5 detention

In a statement to the media, local artist and activist Seelan Palay, 23, said he was fasting in his "personal capacity" to call for world pressure to be brought on the Malaysian government to release five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders, known as "Hindraf 5".

They have been detained in Kuala Lumpur since Dec 13 under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act.

"Each day of my fast is in dedication to each of the five detainees," the activist said in his statement, which has been reproduced on several blogs.

Mr Palay, who plans to ingest nothing but water until Friday 9am, is no stranger to controversy. He was arrested during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings here in 2006 for trying to distribute a fact sheet.

When TODAY dropped by on Tuesday, Mr Palay was seated on a stool under a tree opposite the entrance to the High Commission. Looking a little tired but in good spirits, he said he had been moved to act when he witnessed firsthand the protests in Kuala Lumpur. He was filming the rallies on Nov 25.
SINGAPORE: As scores of Singaporeans greeted the New Year with feasting and revelry, one was marking it by beginning a five—day fast outside the Malaysian High Commission here.


He said he would try to hand his statement to the Malaysian High Commissioner today. On Monday, the High Commission staff had taken photos and a video of him, he said.

"The police asked me for a permit, warned me and told me to disperse. But I am only fasting, why should I need a permit? They said it was under some public entertainment licensing law, and I said I was not here to entertain anyone," said Mr Palay.

The police told TODAY that it was looking into the matter.

Mr Palay said news of his actions has reached some Malaysians, who visited or called him. Singapore Democratic Party assistant secretary—general John Tan, too, paid Mr Palay a visit. When asked, Mr Tan said he was there to "offer support" and "keep (Mr Palay) company". — TODAY/ar