Samy steps down, Palani takes over

By S Retnanathan - Free Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president S Samy Vellu has relinquished his party top post effective today.

The long serving MIC chief is replaced by MIC deputy president G Palanivel, who is also the deputy minister of plantation industries and commodities.

Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam is the new deputy president.

These new appointments leave a vacant spot in the vice-presidency following Subramaniam 'promotion'. The other two vice-presidents are M Saravanan and SK Devamany.

Samy Vellu who has been at helm of the party since October 1979 made the announcement after the all-powerful MIC central working committee meeting at the party headquarters here today.

The CWC had its historic meeting as the party charted its first power transition in 31 years.

The meeting finalised the details of the handover of power between Samy Vellu and Palanivel.

Samy Vellu arrived at the party's headquarters at 9.56am and was greeted by the 61-year-old Palanivel and CWC members.

Samy Vellu, 74, who took over the helm of the party in 1979 after the death of its sixth president V Manickavasagam, had said last week that the party would see a smooth power transition.

With the handover to Palanivel, the former press secretary to Samy Vellu becomes MIC's eighth president.

'I am happy,' says Samy

Speaking at the press conference after the CWC meeting, Samy Vellu vowed to continue his efforts to help the Malaysian Indian community as "I am still a MIC member".

He hoped that the Palanivel-Dr Subramaniam partnership would take the party to greater heights and would be able to attract Malaysian Indians, who had deserted the party and the ruling Barisan Nasional, back to support BN in the next general election.

'I am happy that I am leaving the party to Palanivel. I have had a clear head over the last 10 days. I felt that there should be a leadership change in the party and I was ready for this," he said.

He said Palanivel was not someone new to the party and that he would be able to face any challenges.

He however said he would assist Palanivel run the party should the former asks for his help.

"Life has not ended yet...I will continue serving the community in my own way," he said.


Asked how he would like to be remembered, Samy Vellu said he wanted to be known as someone who had brought about a mindset change in the community, especially in terms of education.

"I have slogged all this while to ensure that Indians understand that education is vital for growth," he added.

His advice to MIC leaders and grassroots was to listen to whoever leads the party. Samy Vellu also discounted an advisory role in the party in the future.

Ambassador's post

On speculation that he had been appointed as an ambassador in charge of obtaining infrastructure projects for Malaysian contractors, Samy Velly said that should be announced by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

"Over the last few months I have been active touring several countries, especially India. We have a few projects in which Malaysian contractors are interested in. This includes projects involving United Engineers Bhd, Hopeteach Bhd and several others.

"If the PM asks me to do it (take up the ambassador's post) then I would do it. Malaysia has good contractors and with them we would be able to grab some opportunities, not only in India but also in other countries" he added.

Asked on his immediate plans following his retirement, Samy Vellu said he would concentrate on the Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED), the party's educational arm, as he was still it president.

Palani to do it his way

Meanwhile, Palanivel speaking at the same press conference, thanked Samy Vellu and the party central working committee for the trust they had placed on him.

"I wanted a smooth transition of power. This is the way it should be. I will talk about my plans for the party in two days' time," he said.

He however acknowledged that his style of leadership would not be the same as practised by Samy Vellu and that he would "run the party my own way".

Subramaniam on the other hand said, in a move to quickly kill off any thoughts of internal turmoil, unity should be of paramount importance right now.

"I thank everyone for the position. Now we need to be united to face the next general election. This is important," he added.

Samy Vellu's last function as the MIC president was to attend the BN conference held at MCA headquarters yesterday where he presented a paper on how MIC can regain its lost ground.

Ex-youth chief back in fold

In a related development, Samy Vellu also announced that the membership of former party youth chief S Vigneswaran has been reinstated.

Vigneswaran resigned from the party after the 2008 general election after falling out with the ex-MIC president. He has since been vocal critic of Samy Vellu and party policies.

The former youth chief has also initiated court proceedings against Samy Vellu and few others over the running of MIED and the construction of MIC's AIMST University.

When contacted Vigneswaran said the reinstatement of membership came as a shock to him.

“It is a magmaminous decision. I thank him for it. I would continue to fight for the community and the BN,” he told FMT.