KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 ― The MIC has been bogged down by intense politicking over the last two years.

The 68th annual general meeting today which will see a new leadership will attempt to:

● revitalise the party;

● regain the trust of the Indian community; and

● remain relevant.

Perak state assembly Speaker Datuk Seri S.K. Devamany and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan are vying for the deputy presidency, and have offered to help new MIC president Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam find a direction.

1) In your opinion, what are your chances of securing an adequate number of votes to win the deputy president post?

Devamany: As an incumbent, I believe there is a good chance for me to retain the position.

Saravanan: First, allow me to clarify, the poll is a re-election (of the 2013 election), not a fresh election. I was elected then and Devamany lost very badly. I was elected as an MIC vice-president and he was voted out. Therefore, I am not contesting against any incumbent. I have a better chance to win as the delegates know me. Seventy-five per cent of the division and branch leaders have come forward to show their support for me. Wanita, Putera and Puteri are with me and I see no reason for them not to elect me.

2) If you win the position, how do you plan to leverage on your role for the party’s agenda?

Devamany: The MIC is a 60-odd-year-old mother party for the Indian community and the Indians have been looking for a strong leadership. I want to serve with sights set on uplifting the community socially and economically.

Saravanan: A lot have been done under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and all we have to do is win their (the Indian community) hearts and bring them together. Today, the government is doing everything, gone are the days when you have to sit down and crack your head. Today, the PM and his Cabinet are doing a lot for the Indians. All you need are leaders who can engage themselves with the Indian community — leaders who can speak their language and be part of them, bring them together to show support for the government we chose. I have been doing it and that shows I am close with the rakyat, especially the bottom 40 per cent (B40) and middle 40 per cent (M40).

3) What are your plans to contribute to the party and the community? How have the two fared thus far? What are the improvements needed to drive the two forward?

Devamany: We will have to go back to the basics, to the hearts and minds of both party members and the community. We need to raise issues and come up with a blueprint for their long-term development. We need further improvements in education and economic standing, especially for the urban and rural B40 of the Indian community.

Saravanan: My plan is simple. The government has its own blueprint, so all we have to do is monitor the delivery system. It is our duty to bring the Indians back together, and ensure that the Indians are with MIC and the government. Job opportunities, education, welfare and socio-economic status need to be empowered. The most important is economic empowerment. (For example), I have started a non-government institution called the New Affirmative Action Movement (NAAM), which focuses on developing the economy of Indian youths through entrepreneurship, business financing and human capital development. We have enough machinery in the government — never before in history do we have a Cabinet committee for the Indians, comprising myself, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and P. Kamalanathan. A state assembly speaker is not involved in the committee.

4) At this point, what do you think is crucially needed to rejuvenate the party — after being presumably “at a loss” while under the helm of the previous president? What are your thoughts on tag-teaming with the current president?

Devamany: We need to look at the party from both the macro and micro points of view. It has been a broken party due to internal disputes. But with support from the delegates, who have come out strong from the turmoil, we will line up programmes for a more concrete progression. In the present hierarchy, I am vice-president 1 and judging from such position — coming next in line to the president — I do not foresee any issue working hand-in-hand with him for the benefit of our party and community.

Saravanan: Definitely, we are going to be the better team, we started together until today. We were the ones who took up the fight against corruption permeating the previous leadership. The current president and I were able to work during the difficult times and we will be the best team to work during the good times. I never said I will only be with the president when I become deputy, but I’ve worked with him for the last two years. There is no issue, and I have proved myself. There should not be any doubt.

5) What are your plans to help Barisan Nasional (BN) win the 14th general election — which, at present, is being perceived to potentially concede a loss?

Devamany: It will take two years of planning to manage and reactivate the support of the Indian localities. We would need training and resources to further enhance our programmes in reaching out for their support. We must also work well with the (19) elected Indian state executive councillors and (nine) members of Parliament to garner a momentum of support before the next general election.

Saravanan: If you talk to any Malaysian Indians today, they will vouch for my ability to deliver, to contribute and work with the community. When I was the deputy  federal territories minister, I was able to convince the Indians by putting up Little India in Brickfields.  I was also able to bring out 100,000 Indians for the Pesta Ponggal at Dataran Merdeka. When I was a senator, I was the first to get an FT holiday for Thaipusam. These prove that I have delivered. Most Indians have accepted me and this will be my asset for BN.