MIC president Samy: I will step down in January

Samy and Palanivel

KUALA LUMPUR (Star) - MIC’s longest serving president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, said he is stepping down in January to make way for his deputy Datuk G. Palanivel.

“Today, I’m officially announcing my decision to step down and pass the leadership to my deputy in January next year,” he told reporters after chairing the party’s Central Working Committee here.

He said that he had announced his decision to the CWC earlier.

Samy has held the presidency since 1979 for 11 consecutive terms.

He was the Works Minister of Malaysia and the longest serving minister in the Cabinet until he lost his parliamentary seat in the 2008 general elections.