Thaindian News

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 24 (IANS) S. Samy Vellu plans to take over as business envoy to India and four other South Asian countries as soon as he quits as chief of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) this month-end.

“If I take a break, I will slow down. I started my political career 52 years ago but I have never taken a break,” he was quoted as saying by The Star Tuesday.

Vellu, 74, is expected to take over as business envoy or infrastructure envoy from Dec 1, a day after stepping down as president of the MIC, the party that claims to represent the 2.1 million ethnic Indian community.

His new appointment, which carries the perks and status of a minister, is yet to be officially announced.

It will see him promoting business, particularly in the infrastructure sector in which Malaysia excels, in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, New Straits Times said quoting unnamed sources.

Vellu, who has been leading the MIC for the last 30 years, told the media that he would be making several announcements during the party’s central working committee (CWC) meeting Nov 29.

“I will present a lot of things to CWC members and they will decide what is the next thing to do. There are so many things I have to announce that day,” he said.

It was previously reported that he would inform the CWC that he would be handing over the reins to his deputy G. Palanivel Nov 30.

Vellu said Palanivel would become acting president.

On a future role in MIC, he said: “I won’t poke my nose into party affairs. I will give advice only if they ask me. Everyone must be able to function independently.

“When I became the president, I did everything on my own. Nobody advised me.”