Samy Vellu Will Step Down 'When The Right Time Comes'

Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who has been the MIC president for the past 25 years, said Sunday that he will only step down when the time is right. "When the right time comes, I will announce it," he said, laughing, in response to a question thrown by a reporter.

He was asked whether he would follow the footsteps of Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik who announced today that he would step down from the post early next year to pave the way for his deputy Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to succeed him. His answer: "That is his party, that is his view. I can't say anything."

Samy Vellu took over the helm of the party following the death of party president Tan Sri V.Manickavasagam in 1979. Despite challenges for the post, with the hottest in 1989 by his deputy Datuk S. Subramaniam, Samy Vellu has been able to retain his seat until today.

In yesterday's party elections, his position was further strengthened when all, but two, of his men won all the seats contested with the best performance from his blue-eyed boy, Datuk G Palanivel, who defeated the long-term incumbent Subramaniam for the post of deputy president by a majority of 448 votes.

**** You might as well believe in Aesop's fables if you really think that Samy Vellu is going to retire any time soon. Some have to be given a gentle push while others need to be dragged out caveman style. I wonder which one he will prefer?