MIC info chief: We've stood the test of time
Giving birth to new political parties is an easy task but nurturing and taking care of them is a different ball game altogether.
mic info chief interview 18092009 p kamalanathan 001And this is why newly appointed MIC information chief P Kamalanathan believes that his party would be able to weather the storm while the rest fade into oblivion.
"It is easy to form a party but it is tough to maintain it. MIC has been around since 1946," he told Malaysiakini during a recent interview.
"I remember DMIP (Democratic Malaysian Indian Party) was formed in the 1980s by V Govindaraju but it was not sustainable.
"Similarly Hindraf is breaking up from within," he pointed out.
Kamalanathan, who is still co-ordinator of MIC's Putera wing, said his first task in his new role would be to ensure that the party is ready to face the new media and social networking sites.
"I am going to establish real communication between the party, members and BN government. A new public relations committee would be formed for party re-branding and damage control purposes.
"We would establish a new committee that would look into establishing media relations," added the 43-year-old public relations manager and part-time lecturer who joined MIC 25 years ago.
Delegates, not Dr M who decides
Meanwhile, the information chief also politely told former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to keep out of his party's affairs, especially concerning president S Samy Vellu.
mahathir and samy vellu and indian communityWhile stressing that MIC looked up to Mahathir, he however reminded the 84-year-old statesman that it was the MIC delegates who decide who their leader should be.
"He has a right to give comments but party members are also clever enough to decide who they want as president.
"The president (Samy Vellu) is not going to seek re-election in 2012. Every party has its own way to resolve internal issues," he said.
Kamalanathan also defended MIC's decision to take action against former vice-president V Govindaraju on the grounds that he defamed Samy Vellu.
"You cannot hit people below the belt. You cannot defame another individual. Party elections do not give the right to defame someone," he added.
On the claim by Govindaraju that he assisted Samy Vellu to win in the party elections some three decades back by 'stealing votes', Kamalanathan wondered why the veteran never disclosed this before.
"What is his intention? Why didn't he say that when he was dismissed from the party in the 1980s?" he asked, adding that all claims must be substantiated with evidence.
MIC is contemplating filing a civil suit against Govindaraju.
Kamalanathan also added that the newly elected central working committee (CWC) members would hold their first meet on Sept 29, and S Subramaniam was on the agenda.
Subramaniam, who was defeated in the race for number two during the party's Sept 12 annual general meeting, was said to have brought a large number of outsiders, especially youths, to the event.
Subramaniam could be given the boot following the accusation that he had brought the party to disrepute.
