Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) leader S. Subramaniam has said he will have no problem working with party president S. Samy Vellu if he gets re-elected to the deputy president's post in the party polls June 24.

Subramaniam, whose strained relationship with Vellu in recent times has come under increased public scrutiny, in an interview with the Star newspaper of Malaysia said if he is re-elected he will continue to work with the latter and the party's Central Working Committee (CWC) to set a vision for the MIC by incorporating his own ideas.

The MIC is the leading political party representing the Indian community in Malaysia. Ethnic Indians comprise seven percent of the country's population of over 24 million.

Subramaniam will be fighting to retain the deputy president's post against G. Palanivel, Malaysia's deputy minister for women, family and community development. Vellu is openly endorsing Palanivel for the post and has named him in his list of favoured candidates ahead of the party elections.

In the interview, Subramaniam, however, said the MIC needed to work out a definite succession plan for the leadership, adding that he was not aware if any such a plan was on the anvil.

"We need such a plan so that the aspirations of the younger generation of Indians, who are mostly fourth, fifth and sixth generation Malaysians, can be adequately met," he was quoted as saying.

Describing his agenda on re-election, he said he would pressurise the government to ensure necessary financial help and university seats to Indian students who excel in their studies.

"Since many of them are from a poor background, they also need financial help and that makes it more difficult for us," he said.

Asked about his chances in the party polls, Subramaniam said party members are now more enlightened than ever and are more discerning.

"They will not follow their leaders without proper thought and reflection," he said in an obvious reference to Vellu's list of favoured candidates.

Subramaniam has not been in the best of terms with Vellu for a long time, ever since the latter defeated him for the party vice-president's post. Vellu also dropped Subramaniam as an MIC candidate for Malaysia's general elections three days before nomination day.

Vellu has been quoted as saying that Subramaniam has enjoyed his time as an MP, parliamentary secretary and deputy minister and that it was now the turn of others to taste such fame.

Asked to describe current relationship with Vellu, Subramaniam said he was not challenging the party president by standing for the deputy president's post.

"I am merely defending the post I have held for 25 years," he said.

"As you know, there are many facets to relationships. You see this in your own families, in your social life, in your working environment. You have good times and then you may hit a bad patch. You seek ways to resolve differences or minimise them and go forward."

Both Subramaniam and Palanivel filed their nomination papers for the party elections Sunday.

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