Tun S.Samy Vellu: Some unknown facets of the self-made political warrior!
(R. Mutharasan, editor of Malaysian Indian Today.com, shares the leadership qualities of the late Tun S. Samy Vellu, MIC’s 7th President, whose birthday is on March 8th)
In one of the grand birthday celebrations of Tun S.Samy Vellu’, when he was the president of MIC, the late Tan Sri Subra, Samy Vellu’s arch political rival in MIC, was also invited to speak at the function. It was a period when both were maintaining a close relationship, setting aside their political differences.
To praise and describe Samy Vellu, Subra quoted the following Thirukkural in Tamil in his speech:
Solalvallan Sorvilan Anjan – Avanai
Ikalvellal Yaarkkum Aridhu
(Meaning: No one can win over a person who is an eloquent orator, who works tirelessly and fearlessly.)
Subra said as follows:
“Samy Vellu is a powerful orator. He is capable of working without exhaustion. He has the characteristic of fighting back in any situation without fearing anyone. Thiruvalluvar (who wrote Thirukkural) says that no one can oppose and defeat such a man. That is true! Just look at me! Even I contested against him twice and lost.”
Subra’s comment was received with thunderous applause. (Subra contested against Samy Vellu and lost in the 1977 contest for MIC Deputy President and the 1989 contest for MIC National President).
Subra’s comments and the Thirukkural he quoted to describe Samy Vellu aptly fit the man who helmed MIC for almost 32 years. It was the hard work that eventually paid off Samy Vellu, although political circumstances also favoured him as the party faced two consecutive deaths of prominent leaders within a short period of 3 years. MIC’s Deputy President Tan Sri Athi Nahappan passed away in 1976, which paved the way for Samy Vellu to be elected as the MIC Deputy President at the party elections held in 1977.
In June 1979, Samy Vellu was elected as the Deputy President again unopposed. Within 4 months of that election, MIC President Tan Sri Manickavasagam passed away, an incident which elevated Samy Vellu as the Acting President. If not for these two consecutive deaths, whether he could have achieved the pinnacle in his political career is a debatable question.
Following Barisan Nasional tradition, Tun Hussein Onn, the Prime Minister then, immediately appointed him as the Minister of Works. Since then, there was no looking back for Samy Vellu.
Waking up early in the morning
He had a mixed bag of qualities usually not found in a leader. He had the habit of waking up early in the morning, and he claims it is 5.30 am. He worked tirelessly past midnight. There is evidence to this claim, as some MIC Branch chairmen had the experience of receiving calls from him as early as 6.00 am, while some would relate their ‘nightmares’ of receiving calls from him past midnight.
His oratorical skills were well known. He could speak for hours, mesmerising the crowds. He also had the quality of embracing everyone, from fellow leaders to ordinary party cadres, by both scolding them severely and speaking to them later with laughter.
He kept abreast with the party, although he was the undisputed president. He knew the names of every branch chairman and even some of the branch office-bearers. Often, he would call them by name.
From Perlis to Johor, he knew the key leaders of Indian NGOs such as Manimanram (Tamil Youth Bell Club), Malaysian Dravidar Kazhagam, Malaysian Hindu Sangam and NUPW (National Union of Plantation Workers).
A Proud Student of Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie was a person who preached philosophies such as how a human can achieve self-improvement and how to succeed in life by discovering one’s inner mental power. He lived until 1955. He served as an advisor to some of the American Presidents. His training modules are conducted worldwide.
“I am a student of Dale Carnegie,” Samy Vellu would mention with pride many times on stages and while talking to others. He would also frequently quote Dale Carnegie’s philosophies.
Perhaps because he followed Dale Carnegie, Samy Vellu took personal care of his dressing style and his individual qualities, always focusing on self-improvement.
Listening to the BBC news to improve my English language
He designed some dressing patterns unique to himself. Even after becoming president, he frequently carried a 12-band transistor radio – which he claimed he bought in Singapore – just to listen to BBC International news so that he could improve his command of the English language. Generally, those who want to develop English language skills and pronunciation are told to listen to the BBC news. Samy Vellu did that even back then.
Whenever he returned from abroad, he would proudly tell the supporters who came to welcome him at the airport, where the suit he was wearing was tailored or bought.
Such a disposition of his, although it could be said to be boasting, also showed the care and attention he took in his personal appearance.
From office boy to architect
Having started his life as an office boy in an architect’s office, he has said on several occasions that he had done various odd jobs to earn a living when he was young. Later, he became a stage actor, read Tamil news for Malaysian TV and would speak for hours as a commentator at Batu Caves during Thaipusam festivals.
While pursuing active politics, encouraged by his bosses, he took up draughtman courses that eventually qualified him to become a full-fledged architect. He went to London to complete his final papers for his architectural course.
He would always stand and walk majestically, without his body bending, keeping his back straight. That itself gave a respectful and slight intimidation to his appearance.
Care in physical exercises
Even after becoming the National President and amidst the workload as a Minister, he paid great attention to physical exercise. He would frequently go to the ‘Rain Tree’ club in the Ampang area for a swim.
The late Tan Sri Subra, who once went there to meet Samy Vellu, said that he personally saw Samy Vellu swimming continuously for 32 laps from one end of the swimming pool to the other. Later, Samy Vellu constructed his own house at Jalan Ipoh, designed by himself, which, of course, featured a swimming pool. From then on, he had the habit of swimming in his house very early in the morning.
In his room at home, he had also set up a gymnasium with modern exercise equipment where he is known to have trained with his trainer.
Although Samy Vellu enjoyed good non-vegetarian dishes, later, for some personal reasons, he became a vegetarian. Some claim it was due to the influence of his close political buddy Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, who was also a vegetarian, while some claim it was due to health reasons.
Always kept an interest in expanding knowledge.
Just as Samy Vellu gave importance to his appearance, he also showed keen interest in expanding his knowledge. When he became a Member of Parliament, his Malay language competency was not up to the mark. To improve his Malay language skills, he took personal tuition from a Malay teacher at his house. Later, his fiery speeches in Parliament in Malay, often taking on the opposition, became popular.
Even though he did not complete his formal education in a school, he developed his command of the English language by improving it in various ways. He is also said to have attended evening classes at Kishendale school, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
As lifestyle and technology changed with computers, iPads, and mobile phones, Samy Vellu too kept pace with the developments, learning how to handle computers and iPads.
Given his age and the positions he held, he could have easily entrusted such tasks to his secretaries. However, he personally developed the skill of handling iPads, computers, and mobile devices.
Stickler for Time Management
He was also known to be a stickler for time. If he had informed in advance that he would arrive for an event at a certain time, he had the habit of arriving exactly at that time or even before it. If he is unable to attend a promised event due to unavoidable circumstances, his office, or sometimes he himself, would promptly inform the organisers.
He also had the habit of attending the wedding ceremonies of MIC brand and division leaders. If he is around, he would be the first one to arrive at the house of a deceased person. He will not miss the funerals of MIC’s branch and division leaders if he is free.
All these habits put together kept him in close touch with party ranks and cadres, making him the undisputed leader of MIC for many years.
A fighting Spirit that feared no one
Samy Vellu is the dictionary for how a political warrior should be! During the period when Tan Sri Manickavasagam was the National President, Manicka held great influence in the government and the party. Samy Vellu was just an ordinary, upcoming young leader. However, when he felt he was being sidelined by the leadership, instead of waiting patiently for his turn, he fought back. He fought against the leadership of Manicka on several fronts. He conducted his political struggle without fear, come what may.
It must also be noted that Tan Sri Manicka, for reasons best known to him, did not favour Samy Vellu, but at the same time did not resort to undemocratic moves against Samy Vellu like expelling him from the party. That is probably also another reason why Samy Vellu was able to continue his style of politics in MIC against Manicka.
Those close to Samy Vellu in those days stated that Samy Vellu would say, “Even if only ten people, who can do exactly as I say, follow me, that is enough. I know how to carry out my political struggle”.
During the Malaysian- Indonesian confrontation in 1965, as the national youth leader of MIC, he participated in a protest in front of the Indonesian embassy organised by Barisan Nasional. While others were shouting on the ground, Samy Vellu quickly climbed the flag post at the Indonesian Embassy and brought down the Indonesian flag, a feat which became newspaper headlines in those days.
In Conclusion… How will Samy Vellu be remembered?
Having observed him closely for over forty years, there may be many political criticisms and negative opinions about him. His handling of MAIKA Holdings would always remain a black stain in his political career. However, his proud achievements on MIED and the establishment of AIMST University stand tall, overshadowing his other negative criticisms.
However, his leadership qualities – other than the dictatorial ones – should be remembered and followed by aspiring young Indian leaders who harbour political ambitions, whether in MIC or other political parties.
Samy Vellu’s desire for individual self-improvement, his fighting spirit, his practice of time management, and taking care of his health despite a demanding work schedule are some of his qualities that can be emulated by all, in whichever profession they are.
More importantly, the current Indian political leaders should learn from his life on how to keep in touch with the pulse of the Indian community by attending numerous events and directly involving themselves with the struggles of the community. He was not a mere armchair critic. He would go to the ground, however volatile it may be, to solve the problems. The Taman Medan racial issue was a case in point.
These are some of his aspects from which we can learn. His direct involvement with the community by attending numerous events organised by MIC Branches and divisions and Indian NGOs remains unmatched by any other leaders who succeeded him.
Samy Vellu’s life is not just a success story of an individual leader. His 60 years of political and community struggles are intertwined with the history of the Malaysian Indian community. His life is a reflection of the entire growth and struggles of the Indian community. Many of his political decisions, although controversial, shaped and changed the political scenario of Malaysian Indians.
He has proven to today’s generations that, despite poverty and setbacks in life, a Malaysian Indian can rise to the pinnacle of his political career by sheer determination, courage and perseverance. He, too, faced losses in his early political career. In the 1960s, as Chairman of MIC Batu Caves branch, every year (In those days, MIC party elections were held every year), he would mount a challenge for the post of MIC Selangor State secretary, against V.J.Balasundram (former Treasurer General), who was then holding the position. For 3 consecutive elections, he lost to V.J.Balasundram, but on his fourth attempt in 1967, he won the post of the Selangor State Secretary with a majority of just 3 votes, and since then, the MIC Selangor state Congress remained his bastion throughout his political career.
He also proved that despite a person’s failure to receive a formal school education, one could work hard in his or her personal capacity to achieve professional status – in his case, an Architect.
In the past, so many negative criticisms have been targeted against Samy Vellu, but his individual fighting spirit, hard work, punctuality, waking up early in the morning, improving oneself every day, and changing oneself according to the changing modern environment are the lessons he has left behind for us to learn from him.
