By V. Vasudevan and Regina Lee
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he would meet MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for the second time this year to discuss the party's succession plan.
The Barisan Nasional chief said the former works minister had met him in June to discuss the MIC leadership.
"He had outlined his plan to me. At that time, he said it was not possible for him to go as it would leave the MIC in an unstable situation.
"But now that the party elections are over, it is possible for Samy Vellu and me to discuss the future of the MIC in the context of Barisan Nasional without being seen as interfering in the party's affairs."
Samy Vellu won the party presidency for a record 11th consecutive term in March this year.
Najib said if the MIC was not strong, it would be a burden to the BN.
"We want to see a strong MIC which would be able to win back the support of the Indian community and be in a position to win seats at the next general election."
Asked if he saw Samy Vellu leading the MIC for much longer, Najib said it was not proper for him to speculate.
"I will discuss with him. I don't want to make it public because the discussion will be in confidence."
Najib said he would disclose details only in agreement with Samy Vellu.
"I will have to agree with him on what is appropriate to reveal to the public," he said.
Samy Vellu's position as leader of MIC came under fire last week when former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad described him as a liability to BN's effort to win back the Indian community's support.
However, within MIC, the president appeared to strengthen his hold when a majority of the candidates endorsed by him swept party polls last week.
On MCA, Najib called on delegates to an extraordinary general meeting on Oct 10 to use the occasion to solve the party's problems.
"This EGM should be considered as an effort to solve the party's problems and not as a means to bring destruction to MCA."
He reiterated that it was not the intention of Umno or BN to get involved in MCA's leadership dispute.
He said MCA had to solve its own problems, failing which support for BN would be affected.
"They have to hold the EGM to solve the party's internal crisis, and not destroy the party. The EGM is to ensure that the party regains its strength and it should emerge stronger."
The EGM was convened following the sacking of deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek last month.
However, on Saturday, the MCA central committee reviewed the sacking by its disciplinary board and presidential council, and decided to suspend Dr Chua.
He was suspended for four years with immediate effect.
The EGM would deliberate five resolutions, namely, to move a motion of no-confidence in MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat; to annul the presidential council's decision to expel Dr Chua; to reinstate Dr Chua as party deputy president; to revoke any appointment made before the EGM; and ensure that no disciplinary action is taken against those who petitioned for the EGM.
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