Najib killing Samy softly with his song
It did not need to be said outright, but it was clear from the lips of Prime Minister Najib Razak - time is running out for MIC president S Samy Vellu.
"I believe that BN can deliver if we are willing to change with the times, and if MIC can recognise the call of the Indian community.
"I don't want to speak on behalf of the Indian community, but ask yourselves what they want," said the premier, while Samy Vellu could only manage a faint smile.
Speaking at the opening of the party's 64th Annual General Meeting (left), Najib also told the party to get their house in order, lest another onslaught in the next general election proves fatal.
"As we move into the 13th general election, MIC must resolve their leadership problem in a way that strengthens MIC, and not to destroy the party.
"I don't want to interfere, but find a solution. And don't fight," he told the 3,000 delegates.
It has become an open secret that Umno, under Najib's leadership, has increasingly viewed the MIC supremo as a liability, after Samy Vellu's party barely survived the March 2008 polls.
Political observers also noted that Najib has since appeared hell-bent on winning back Indian support single handedly, without the MIC president's help, often engaging Indian NGOs himself.
"Reach out, work with the NGOs, the good Indian NGOs, don't exclude them. If I can work with them, why can't MIC work with them?" he asked.
Stop media war
Najib also urged the Indian community to close ranks, and stop airing dirty laundry in the media.
"There are three Tamil papers only. And yet they asyik bantai (always slam) different people. You are using newspapers for your own ends," he charged.
"You should use the papers to tell the Indian community how good the New Economic Model is, and about 1Malaysia. What is this? Podah (get lost)," he said.
He was referring to the three newspapers that have dominated the Tamil readers market - the Samy Vellu-owned Tamil Nesan, Makkal Osai in the hands of Samy Vellu's nemesis S Subramaniam and the relatively independent Malaysia Nanban.
"One side will say the other side is bad. And then the other side will point fingers back to that person. In the end, BN loses," said Najib.
Samy Vellu had previously said he will be handing over the party reins to his "successor" G Palanivel by September next year.
However, sacked members of his party have been has formed the Gerakan Anti Samy to push for his immediate resignation.
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