Samy Vellu: PM to have final say

Malaysiakini (7/11/2007): MIC president S Samy Vellu, who seemed determined to flex his muscles over the demolition of a Hindu temple just a few days ago, has softened his stance on the issue. (Full report)

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Stir over Samy Vellu's Deepavali dampener

STS (6/11/2007): Deepavali open house became the talking point yesterday as Umno delegates converged for their annual assembly, after Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) chief Samy Vellu announced that his party would not extend any invitation this year because of the demolition of an old Hindu temple.

Although he later retracted the announcement, it still created a buzz at the Putra World Trade Centre, where the Umno meeting was held.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, addressing 2,000 Umno chiefs yesterday, said he was 'very disappointed' with what had happened, delegates who attended the closed-door briefing said.

They added that as some Umno leaders shouted 'Sack him!'...

Samy Vellu: We are hurt over temple demolition

NST (7/11/2007): "We are hurt. That's all I am going to say. Hurt is hurt."

This was the reaction from MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu yesterday on the demolition of a 36-year-old Hindu temple in Shah Alam by the Selangor government.

Samy Vellu said he was so hurt by the state government's action that MIC almost cancelled all its Deepavali open houses as a mark of respect to all Hindus.

The MIC had issued a statement on Monday announcing that all open houses by MPs and state assemblymen would be cancelled, but the notice was retracted hours later...