The woman who masterminded Samy’s defeat
Kumar and Rani in Penang fresh after their triumph in Sg Siput
While everyone knows Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj as the guy who finally toppled Samy Vellu in his Sg Siput bastion, few are aware that his victory owes a lot to his wife and campaign manager, Rani Rasiah, a PSM central committee member, who played an instrumental role in the campaign. Of course, they couldn’t have done it without the help of a multi-ethnic team of dedicated volunteers from all around the country. A tale of sheer grit and perseverance.
It was an amazing campaign. Rani revealed that none of the volunteers who helped out in their campaign - many of them from grassroots communities - was paid a sen. It was entirely a people’s effort. In fact, their regular ceramah in Sg Siput did not feature any big names. Rather, it was the ordinary people - farmers, urban pioneers, estate workers - who took to the stage to share their experience and urge the crowds to vote for change!
The campaign was also boosted by a strong DAP candidate standing in one of the state seats and by Pas workers who did their bit by putting up posters and flags in kampongs.
Kumar told me he discovered that his new position as MP for Sungai Siput carries with it certain powers and influence over local authorities, which he hopes to use to uplift some of the diverse communities in the area.
- Jeyakumar vs Samy Vellu: Epic battle that’s too close to call
- It’s a sacred day… Share with me your polling day impressions
- Giant-killer Kumar joins the fray
- Have you read this not-so-secret diary?
- BN election workers missing in action: A tell-tale sign
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Well done Doc Kumar! You make me proud to have had known you during the Sunday School days in the Tamil Methodist Church at Kebun Nyor. Keep it up and continue with your noble and lofty deeds and struggle for the down throden proletariats. Your voice will be power to alot of us the powerless.
Years ago, when our Late MGG Pillai came for a visit to Penang, he spoke tons of nice things about you and how you even asked your daughter not to play the piano anymore as you considered that a luxtury you can live without. MGG even commented about your car which was falling apart when you drove him around Sungai Siput.
Keep the fire burning my friend! A new stage in the class struggle. The need for solidarity is as relevant today as it was in 1848 when Marx and Engels called for “proletarians of all countries, unite!”
Thank you for toppling Samy Vellu. I have been hoping for many many years for this to happen and I used to swear why Sg Siput folks still want such an “E-DIOT” as MP. I am deliriously happy that Dr Jeyakumar did it. THANK YOU (to Dr jeyakumar and Sg Siput folks) very much for getting rid of a … “E-DIOT” for the people.
Send my regards to the victorious husband & wife team. Please tell them that they have done great service to the nation. We are all indebted to them!
Sam(son) locks got shorn by Rani Delilah…..syabas Rani.
Dr Xavier u rock !
hey who that using “E-diot” word. that’s my domain name la
at every election, i always prayed hard that samy will lose and come this 12th election, my prayer was answered.
i had met dr jeya last year when our church group visited one of the plantation workers housing estate which is under dr jeya’s watch/help.
apart from listening to the grouses of the plantation workers, also get to hear others like the urban pioners, single mothers, orang asli. all of them were helped so much by dr jeya. all of them had so high admiration of dr jeya.
thus i can understand if his ceramah had those ordinary people as speakers instead of big names. it was those ordinary people who win over the rakyat, who are ordinary people too, that manage to give dr jeya the win. syabas to his wife with her great campaigning idea!
Congradulations on winning the sungei siput seat. Somehow this time I felt that you would make it. Keep the good work going. Let all Malaysians feel proud to be Bangsa Malaysia
Its a great pleasure to see Dr. Jeya Kumar win against the (man who let down the) community. I have had the plesure working with Dr. Kumar during his time in the goverment service and have knowlege of the troubles he had to go through for trying to help the poor and marginalised lot, including the Penans . He is indeed the perfect choice. My hearty wishes to the hausnband and wife team. Well Done. God bless you.
Well done and keep the fire burning continuosly so that complacency does not creep in. It took years to achieve the support to topple mighty Samy Vellu in his den. Sleep with your eyes open because Samy Vellu is having sleepless night.
WELL DONE AND MY BEST WISHES FOR U AND FAMILY.NOT MANY PEOPLE WILLING TO SACRIFICE TIME TO BE THE GIANT KILLER.IF YOU PAY ME YOUR MP SALARY X 3 FOR ME,I WONT BE ABLE TO SACRIFICE MY TIME FOR OTHERS.THANK YOU DOCTOR.YOU ARE THE NOBLE FEW IN THIS COUNTRY.RAJ RAMAN.RACE.MALAYSIAN.RELIGION;MY OWN BUSINESS.DREAMING TO BE MALAYSIAN PUTRA
This may sound off-topic (it’s really not), so do bear with me…
One of the best ways to market new technology is by means of product evangelism - a user-experiential approach, in which the virtues of new technology are marketed to the mainstream by the users themselves… this is the approached introduced by Guy Kawasaki when the Macintosh was first unleashed into the IT market.
It would appear that the pursuit of political sea-change works best in a similar way - through the evangelical down-to-earth marketing technique employed by Dr. Jayakumar and Rani. No need for lavish flash-bang type of wowing the voters… something that BN painfully found out no longer is effective with the voting public, judging by the results.
Congratulations, and well done! I hope that your success brings betterment to the people of your constituency!
Congratulations on the win. It has brought about much needed change, and played an important role in what is our country’s biggest step forward to a non pseudo-democracy.
But please remember that the mastermind behind the defeat was none other than Samy himself… Whilst I have no doubt everyone involved in the campaign played an hugely important role which contributed to the eventual downfall of what is hopefully the last of the BN warlords. I believe no one will deny without external factors, many of which have been widely publicised, this would have not been possible.
I for one, along with many of my peers voted for the ‘Non BN’ candidate. Please remember that.
Success is sweet
After many failures
No one can beat that feeling
Only God can
Now the time to do it
Make it known years to come
The groundwork laid out years ago
Finally it bears fruit
A little plant finally grows
In the heart of Sungai Siput
I haven’t met Dr Jeyakumar
What I read he must be a kind soul
Helping the poor and disadvantaged
I only wish other leaders can do
For the people without any returns
I pray he finds his work
Now refreshing and ultimately satisfying
The people of Sungai Siput
You are bless with the like of Dr Jeyakumar
Here I have a BN Dato
Who didn’t come to my house when he passed by
When he campaigned for his seat….
Dr Jeyakumar
Thank you for retiring Sami d’loo
I hope I don’t have to see him no more
He should join LKY and watch the sunset
Well done Dr Jeyakumar and a million thanx to your tireless campaign manager-cum-wife. Wish you guys the best of luck in your efforts to further champion the plight of your constituents!
If help is needed, just get in touch. We KL people have hearts and willing hands too!
wonderful!
with a woman like rani beside jeyakumar, the people of sungai siput will definitely be well taken care of.
i hae always prayed and wished for jeyakumar to take up office. he is shining example of what good MPs should be made of - humility, people-centred and hard work.
all the best to rani and kumar
Beautiful story of a beautiful pair. Infinite blessings upon them and all the good they have accomplished - and will continue accomplishing, on an even greater scale!
Syabas on yr. Victory Dr. Kumar Malaysians have waited for a looooong time to get rid of Semi Value,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,well done ! A new Era is starting in Malaysia.
REFORMASI ! Hidup Rakyat !
In the run up to the 1999 GE and the height of Reformasi, I remember going on a walkabout with you and your “entourage” to a few villages in Sg. Siput. It was evening and there was a drizzle. Later on, I experienced the warmth of your people manning the “bilik gerakan”. So much so, I remember writing an email entitled “Vote for Change, Vote for David” - alluding to the David v. Goliath story. While Goliath stayed in power that time, no thanks to the notorious postal votes, justice was served - some 9 years later - on 8/3/08.
It must have been a tremendous feeling for you that night. And I can proudly tell my son of the day when Hope returned to the land. That will be a night to remember forever. Sometimes, and especially at times like these, I think to myself “It’s Worth It” - all the struggles, pain, failings - It’s Worth It. Thank you Dr. Thank you Rani. And all your “Makkal” for keeping that little light going when it was dark. God bless you, your families and loved ones and all your people in Sg. Siput.
I think we should not be patting ourselves on the back just yet because perhaps for the fact that Dr. Jeyakumar has lost more than once to Samy previously shows that the reason he won this time is not merely due this effort/personality alone.
The wind was blowing strong and the rakyat just voted along that line. My opinion is that Samy did himself in rather than the other way around. But either way, this is definitely a good chance for Dr. Jeya to prove himself in Sg. Siput that their choice is a correct one.
Dr. Jeya , Not many sacrifice themselves for the betterment
of the underprivelaged. You stood for what you believed in.
Although you unseated the shameless Samy, its your principles I admire and you have become a role model for the young.
When you feel the sufferings of the down trodden, the hurt of the wretched and the desperation of the poor, you will not be at peace until you help them. WHEN you can feel all these feelings you are one with them and the need to help arises naturally(by nature). And nature comes from God.
Good JOB and GOD BLESS you Richly tis time! Our family awaits this moment for such a long time. We dun really like the way SamI do things/….Keep it up! prove to the SS people u can do better than SAMI~
Besides Rani please do not forget the timely contribution of Loganation of Sg. Siput the silent giant killer (former right hand of Samy Velu)who tirelessly went all out to meet the voters to campaign against Samy.
Loga knows the tricks of the trade he speaks chinese dialects and was able to convey the message to the chinese voters. He also went to meet the orang asli voters without the prescence of the candidate and was able to pull their support. Those who can read Tamil please read Loganathan’s exclusive interview in Nayanam weekly (16 March 08). He has exposed Samy Velu’s misdeeds and Samy’s alleged involvement in estate workers land scams in Sg. Siput.
Makkal Sakthi members also went all out to oust Samy. I wonder how many supporters of Samy would have been forced to bring back the birthday cakes and garlands as it was his birthday.
I have met Dr. Jeyakumar once he is a very simple and humble fighter always prepared to stand up for the working class.
After 34 years, the Sg.Siput residents at last chased Samy out of the town, sources said that (he) is now hiding at Jalan Ipoh at the MIC Hq…
It’s so refreshing to hear Dr. Jeya and Rani send the vile speaking MIC honcho into the sunset for good. Let’s hope this is the end for Samy. Keep up the good work Dr Jeya and Rani
It’s wonderful for a couple to work as a team
To bring in the result that some thought was a dream
Not knowing the work carried out like a continuous stream
Will bring home not only the milk but also the precious cream
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
http://msi.Rocky101.com
Sat. 22nd March 2008.
Jeya’s tenure will be brief but his legacy will endure.
Comparing Samy to Sambanthan, the former lasted because he surrounded himself with loyalists; the latter did not because he embraced and shared power with his detractors.
Samy is clearly the fitter one but like Sambanthan, Jeya has a fitter gene. Jeya’s legacy will endure because it is his detractors who would redeem him.
Congratulations doc on your victory. you were constitstent and your undying effort has been answered. the people of Sg Siput decided to end arrogance and once again this is proof that the rakyat are not ignorant or can be fooled.A birthday gift to Semi Value he cant forget. One can wonder what would have happen to all the expensive air flown garlands that was supposed to his birthday giftsss
Dr. Jeya and his woderful Spouse:
U DONT KNOW HOW MANY HEARTS THAT, YOU BROUGHT SMILES TO, IMMESURABLE.
Finally , my prayers are answered…..but i still pray harder because that EDIOT refuses to go …..still claiming that he is going to “reinvent” MIC . What a SHAME !!!
That thicked face SammiValoo is really a sucker. Until now still want to lead the MIC party although losses his undies many times over. The Indian communities already show their displeasure of this old …. in politics and yet he still have all the heart and soul to remains. I prefers to see the (defeat) of all MIC candidates in the next election.
Shame on you when you told your … on election counting night that you wanna go home for a bath before returning but didn’t do so. I thought you got the thickened… elephant skin. Why no face to faced the defeats?.
Another old…. of the Madhater era.
congratulations dr.jeyakumar.
10 yrs work in sg.spt creats this victory. u ar popular and famous among sg siput voters ,ur consistant work u topple the giant samyvellu.
raj
bravo to dr.jeyakumar on bashing DSSV u had teach him a grat lesson, may god bless your good deed and keep your great track of record for the next 20 years ahead, BN and MIC had killed the lower income earner especially indian in malaysia,
Dr.jeyakumar for your information i was born in estate in teluk intan district to poor parents, i am lucky that my parent has been strict in giving importancy to the education, today me and my 5 sibling r excelling in our field,although i am a goverment officer but i aware that MIC under the leadership of DSSV never done anything in uplifting the living standard of any indian besides the cronies in MIC, wondering DSSV son velpari chaffeuer driven in S class MERCEDES BENZ around town, what shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YB’DR.JEYAKUMAR PLEASE QUESTION THIS DATO’NADARAJAH ON HOW HE ASSUMED SOMUCH OF WEALTH…!!!!!!!!!!!!! AS PER MY KNOWLEDGE EVEN THE TEMPLE CHAIRMAN OF VENKADACHALAPATY TEMPLE IN INDIA NEVER BEING DRIVEN IN ( S) CLASS BENZ WITH A BODYGUARD!!!!!! my fellow indian think and make a move to our MAKKAL SHAKTHI
Well, M. kumar, with good governance, we acheive positive results, its not advisable to look for needle in the haystack, life in a dead carcase or evidance from the ashes of a person. Let us put a stop to that and shut our negative thoughts away of/from, unanswerable questions and build, positive traits of the existing situations. Forget, Dato Nada, he is finished.
Example, lets start and make it a collective effort, by reducing our waste management bill, from RM 70,000.00 per day, down to RM 35,000.00 per day. I assure you the Penang and all Barisan Rakyat(BR) Government, will reduce our assesment charges on houses and to your suprise, there will be more money in our pocket, than Dato Nada.
Its ideas like this, not only for this issue but, let me assure, that all sanitary systems can have its cost reduced.
Once such uncalled for operational costs, on public maitenance, created by the public, is reduced by the public, for the public, it will have its benefits to the public.
“IF” (Golden Word, If my Auntie had been born as a male, I would have called her Uncle, since ahe is a female I call her auntie), so no ‘IF’ change it to ‘We Will’.
Therefore, we as Rakyat, Civil Society, Nations Public and People of This Land, should lend the supoort to Barisan Rakyat’s public agencies. Than the beaurocratic mentalled governmental bodies,(like the Education Office in Penang and NUTP leader of Penang did by saying, to Boycott invitations to/of BR leaders, did not, this morons understand that, they live on public taxes and we, the Public selected the BR Government), will have no excuse, to say that the public, is the cause of the cost operational increament. This government bodies, in their honest truth, have no obligation to public funds but, only to abuse them, as long as their salary check is paid into their ATM bank, to them is ‘who cares’.
So its left to us, who are obliged to notify our elected representatives, of the rot and how we can assist to overcome.
LETS GET POSITIVE IN MIND AND MATTER AND HAVE THE PLEASURE TO RETAIN A BARISAN RAKYAT THAT IS FOR US.
thank god, finally the rakyat & you managed to get rid of the most arrogant person around
I asked around and a kind soul led me on his motorbike to your old office at the corner.Looking at the dipilidated wooden building ,did it dawn on me the depth and significance of your struggle.Anyway, the DAP centre a little down the road was only a little better.
I was there with the intention to offer to start a tapioca planting project to manufacture environmentally friendly biodegradable plastics . The farmers ,in fact anyone, can plant on any available land,even in their backyard,with our new high yield clones and earn monthly good income.
God Bless and Congratulations
You have made the life for people in Sungei Siput, change for good. Dr.Jeya you were to be the model for all people representative, to represent yourself with the people not only when they are in need. Get down to work now you have been given the mandate. Proof to the BN goverment that you can better the life of this poor people. I hope all the BR reprensentative should follow the foostep of this man, be humble, they need you, and trust you for another 5 years.
Gook Luck Mr.Mrs Dr Jeyakumar May God Bless you.
dr jeyakumar, you rock!! congratulations on your victory, overcoming samy vellu. you defeated an icon, legend that was not wanted nor needed anymore. So please serve the people of S.Siput with full commitment and help all; Indians as well as non-indians
I hav always wondered what is it that made Samy Vellu that strong in sg siput that he always won!!
What hold did he have on the people frm sg siput…
Im glad he relinquished his hold (although involuntarily)
Dr Jeyakumar congratulations on your win.. i hope u cna do much more for us than what was promised n i dont mean Indians only i mean Malaysians…
kudos to you and please remember that the world is watching u never let your guard down…
Congrats to ur wife as well
Well done Dr,All this while i was under impression that you are a mere Medical Dr,But after reading your interview in SUN newspaper,i truly understand that you are a true,genuine and hopefull leader to uplift status of indian community in this country.Please contact me if you need any form of help to save our community.Anyway thanks alot for your wife and you for throwing Monster to the drain.
Well done!!
Make sure that “Indian Napoleon” will not able to gain any influence in Sungai Siput anymore. We are all sick of him and his loud mouth! Put him to eternal abyss away from the people of Sungai Siput.