He said today some 7.000 people will attend the launch in Kuala Lumpur against Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who had disclosed last Sunday he will step down sometime in 2011.
This is Mugilan’s first step three days after receiving his expulsion letter from Samy Vellu for asking the president to step down sooner than later. He gave Samy Vellu a final deadline of Dec 31.
Mugilan, 35, who was the Hulu Selangor MIC Youth chief until he was sacked, said the movement has the support of current and former party leaders.
“In fact, this effort has the support of other races,” said Mugilan, who refused to reveal the names of the “top man” supporting the movement.
“GAS is people power and the day for MiC to face a better future, and remain relevant,” he told The Malaysian Insider after a press conference.
“We want to show to the BN-led government that the Indian community is serious to have leadership change with Samy Vellu stepping down,” he added, referring to the Barisan Nasional of which MIC is a senior member.
Samy Vellu had used his presidential powers to sack Mugilan despite saying he will be referred to the disciplinary panel for acting against party and BN interests in last month’s Hulu Selangor by-election.
Mugilan said GAS will go on a roadshow to demand Samy Vellu, 74, step down from the post he has held since 1979, adding he will issue a CD detailing the president’s leadership over the past 31 years.
He also said he will put up a “Support GAS” page on social networking site Facebook to elicit more support.
“We used to use wood to make fire, now time has changed and we use gas ... Efforts must be made to get Samy Vellu to step down. I am not acting against MIC interests but I want Samy Vellu to quit,” he added.
Mugilan also defended his move by citing history where Samy Vellu had once asked then MIC president Tun V.T. Sambanthan to step down.
“At that time, Samy Vellu was in his 30s and I am now 35. So if Samy Vellu can do it then, can’t I do it now?” he asked, questioning the expulsion order from the president.
The youth leader’s relationship with Samy Vellu has cooled since he gained Umno’s attention as a possible candidate for the Hulu Selangor vote.
Asked if he can succeed in toppling Samy Vellu, Mugilan said he had moral support for his efforts.
“We have to do it now otherwise it will give a bad effect on MIC and BN in the next general elections,” he said.
[Malaysian Insider]
