PM to meet Samy Vellu to discuss MIC succession plan
(Bernama) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will meet Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to discuss the succession plan of the MIC president who has been helming the party since 1981.
Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional chief, said Samy Vellu had indeed, met him prior to the MIC election in June, in Kuching this year to discuss the leadership change plan.
"At that time, he told me that he could not step down and if he did, then it would destablise the party. But that was before the party election.
"But now after the election, I will discuss with him again but this should not be seen as Barisan's interference in the internal affairs of the MIC," he said.
Najib was speaking to reporters at the Hari Raya open house hosted by the prime minister and the Cabinet at Seri Perdana the official residence of the prime minister here Sunday.
The MIC held its party polls last week to pick a deputy president, three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee members.
Samy Vellu won the party presidency for a record 11th consecutive term in March this year.
Earlier this week, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad described Samy Vellu as a liability for the Barisan in the ruling coalition's effort to win back the support of the Malaysian Indian community.
To this, the MIC president had said that Dr Mahathir should not issue statements about the party leadership and that he had discussed the party’s succession plan with Najib in June.
"I have to discuss the matter again with him (Samy Vellu). We, in the Barisan, want the support of the Indian community.
“But at the same time, we should not be seen as meddling in the affairs of the MIC. We want MIC to win back the support of the community," said Najib.
The prime minister said he would discuss the appropriate steps to be taken by the MIC chief on the matter.
However, he declined to reveal what was discussed between him and Samy Vellu during their meeting in June, saying that it was a private discussion.
