Give BN its rightful place

BN Supreme Council - a place to lock horns

The country should be governed by BN not Umno.Abdullah should give the BN supreme council its rightful place as the highest decision making body,not UMNO as it is and has always been.

The BN supreme council members were reported to be pleased with Abdullah for allowing them to have a frank and open discussion on numerous matters. Many sensitive issues were discussed.Is it a sign they finally seem to realise that they must speak up for the people? At least for Samy and Kayveas it appears to be so,each trying to please the Indian community - thanks to Hindraf.

This is what is needed - a frank and open dialogue, not a meeting dictated by a single individual where others dare not open their mouths.They must be able to to discuss any issue affecting the nation,including the sensitive ones.If sensitive issues cannot be discussed at the at the BN supreme council where else can they?

Dr.Chris Anthony

BN meet: Samy-Kayveas lock horns

RK Anand Malaysiakini,Jan 22, 08 12:46pm

MIC president S Samy Vellu and his PPP counterpart M Kayveas spiced up the Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting in Putrajaya yesterday when the two heavyweights locked horns.

The exchange forced Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to intervene to restore calm.

According to sources, the tension was apparent right from the start when Samy Vellu purportedly snubbed Kayveas when greeting the BN leaders who were present.

"After the prime minister delivered his opening address, Samy Vellu started to speak. He complained about how certain BN component parties were attacking their colleagues," they said.

Although, the veteran politician did not mention any names, sources said it was crystal clear that Kayveas was the target.

Strained ties

The PPP president has been at loggerheads with MIC over several issues, and leaders from both parties have publicly traded barbs.

Kayveas has also openly criticised Samy Vellu.

He recently told Malaysiakini that the veteran politician has 'lost control' and threatened to sue the MIC president for allegedly defaming PPP during a meet in New Delhi.

Last November, even Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak called for a truce, leading Kayveas to remark: "As far as I'm concerned, I will take the advice and stop. No more MIC bashing...no more Samy Vellu bashing unless we are bashed."

Ties have also become strained between the two parties following recent media reports of disgruntled MIC branch leaders crossing over to PPP, much to the displeasure of the former's president.

Sources said following Samy Vellu's remarks, Sarawak BN party leaders joined in and attacked Kayveas directly for encroaching into the state without their approval.

PPP is the first peninsula-based BN party to enter the state, sparking off fears among local leaders that other parties from the ruling coalition will follow suit.

On Jan 19, PPP launched its Sarawak pro-tem committee in Kuching.

Kayveas had reportedly said then that PPP is gauging its support before deciding whether to set up a full-fledged state branch and this is why the party did not inform the state BN on its intention to enter the state.

Kayveas responds

Meanwhile, sources said Kayveas, who is also deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, had remained quiet when attacked by the BN leaders.

"He just listened and the floor was given to other BN leaders to air their views. But when his turn came and Abdullah asked him if he had anything to say, Kayveas responded to the criticisms."

Kayveas purportedly argued that he had made constructive comments regarding MIC but the party's leaders had attacked him in an underhanded manner.

He cited MIC vice-president S Sothinathan - who has filed a RM20 million defamation suit against Kayveas and publicly told him to 'shut up' - and MIC Youth chief SA Vigneswaran, as examples.

Kayveas also explained that his comments pertaining to Tamil schools were misconstrued by MIC leading the party to unleash another verbal salvo against him.

"He also accused Samy Vellu of having an axe to grind with him from day one.

"This angered the MIC president who began shouting, prompting Abdullah to interfere. The prime minister then told Samy Vellu to calm down and allow Kayveas to air his views," said the sources.

Kayveas also explained the issue of his party's foray into Sarawak, saying that he has been trying in vain to meet with the state leadership over the issue for a long time.

Malaysiakini could not obtain comments from both Samy Vellu and Kayveas regarding the incident.

Remain united

Despite the flare-ups, sources claimed that BN leaders were generally satisfied with the three-hour-long closed-door meeting at the prime minister's office.

"They were also pleased with Abdullah for allowing them to have a frank and open discussion on numerous matters. Many sensitive issues were discussed.

"At the end of the day, the general consensus was to bury the hatchets and remain united to face the general election," the sources said.

In a related development, Sin Chew Daily today reported that BN leaders had, among others, discussed the issue of conversion, temple demolitions and the building of more Chinese schools.

The Chinese-language paper also stated that there was a 'heated debate' on the issue of PPP entering Sarawak.