There's 50-50 chance MIC president Palanivel (left) will be challenged by his deputy, Subramaniam, for the party's top post.
"I am not against the police force. There is a small section creating the problem, so what's wrong with the IPCMC? If we keep on keeping quiet, tomorrow when you meet an accident, you better be careful when you go to make your police report. I can't understand what is the difficulty in implementing this."
On MIC's relationship with other Indian-based parties, Vell Paari (pic above), said it was good.
"We are happy to talk to the IPF (Indian Progressive Front) and PPP and Senator Nallakaruppan and Senator Waythamoorthy to improve the lot of the community. If they want, they must come and talk to us and merge and work together.
"Hindraf is complicated because so many claim to be leaders. Some want to work with MIC and some don't. Many attack the party now, saying it is not relevant but people still ask the party for help. At the same time, we cannot say that we are the mother party of all Indians in Malaysia. The time has come to bite the bullet and embrace the change.
"We must accept the fact that Hindraf broke the myth that Indians don't matter in the country. It is not just Chinese and Indians but Malays who are saying we want more than the rice bowl. We want a better quality of life. Let's say no to inequality."
Vell Paari feels that Malaysia's leaders need to go beyond partisan politics and really heed the call of new voters.
"It is clear that the younger generation does not subscribe to the politics of old. Let's be honest, the Chinese are the most affluent, so you cannot say MCA has done nothing for the Chinese, but why did the voters abandon them? Because Malaysians are more educated and they are looking beyond rice bowl and simple pothole or clogged drain issues."
He disagrees with accusations that MIC has let the Indian community down.
"People seem to think Indians are living in a cocoon with no idea of what they want. I don't think that's true. In the past, there were inequalities, some migrated, some even converted for financial gain.
"Now the community has become more careful. People have fewer children and focus on education.
"People are no longer dependent on handouts for survival. They don't depend on civil service jobs.The days of people calling up and politicians giving hampers are over. It's not going to work.
"We do have poverty in the community but it is not as high as claimed by detractors of MIC. There are many Indians doing well in business, medicine, law, engineering and other sectors."
Vell Paari concluded by saying the message from the people to the nation's leaders was clear.
"Malaysians don't want to be told, 'if you're unhappy, then migrate'. Malaysians are saying this is a fantastic country but let's make some changes to make it even better."
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
