> 'Cash is ready' Samy slams 'hypocrite' CM
Disappointed that Lim had accused MIC of 'bluffing' about willing to pay the RM3.2 million premium for the land, the president said he was surprised that the DAP secretary-general would make such a remark.
"I respected him (Lim) as a young dynamic person. It is unfortunate that he (Lim) can say anything that suits his purpose for the moment and being willy nilly when the table turns," he said.
"We have to see what Lim had to say about Bukit Cina in Melaka and compare with what he is doing with Kampung Buah Pala," he added in a statement.
DAP had resolved the Bukit Cina issue in 1984 and Lim was quoted as saying that it showed the party's priority in preserving important culture and heritage over development projects for the sake of private gain.
"What we are seeing is hypocrisy in Lim's words," said Samy Vellu.
Premium deposited with lawyers
Meanwhile, the MIC president said the party will deposit the RM3.2 million premium for the return of the affected land with the party's lawyers.
He said when the Penang government was ready to hand over the land to the Kampung Buah Pala villagers, the payment would be made by the party's lawyers to the state government.
"I have instructed MIC lawyers to write to the state government and chief minister to get the land matter cleared. The lawyers would transmit the money when the land is approved," he said.
Samy Vellu said in any land deal, the money would only be paid after the land has been transacted or the documents for the transactions were ready.
"Here, we have a chief minister telling us to pay first and then let's talk," he said.
Just like DAP in 1984, Samy Vellu said MIC also wanted to save Kampung Buah Pala to preserve the Indian culture and heritage.
He urged the state government not to take the people for a ride as the land was transferred during Lim's time as chief minister and not by the previous state government.
"It is your government which took the premium. You could have stopped it if you had the least sympathy for the Indians in Kampung Buah Pala," he added - Malaysiakini.
