Mahathir challenges Vell Paari to show proof

(Mysinchew) – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has issued a challenge to appointed MIC central working committee (CWC) member Vell Paari to produce proof that Umno is behind a move to topple his father Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu as the MIC president.

The former prime minister said Vell Paari should come up with evidence that Umno was involved in the so-called Gerakan Anti-Samy (GAS), a grassroots movement initiated by sacked MIC Youth deputy chief V. Mugilan, scheduled to be launched in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Bernama reported Mahathir as saying that Vell Paari should not just make allegations without any substantiation.
Mahathir said this at a press conference after delivering a keynote address at the 5th Malaysian Conference on Healthy Ageing here.

Mugilan had initiated GAS to demand that Samy Vellu steps down as the MIC president with immediate effect instead of his announced schedule to retire in September next year.

Commenting on Samy Vellu, who had been the party boss and a cabinet minister for about 30 years, Mahathir said it was time that the controversial MIC president called it a day.

“I’m not representing Umno, but, long ago, I had said that one must not overstay one’s welcome. This is one reason I stepped down. I think he has served longer than I. He has set a kind of record, and I think one should be satisfied with establishing that record,” he said.

Earlier in his keynote address, Mahathir said one should strive to achieve healthy ageing.

“You don’t get anything for free. You have to work hard, but do not work too hard. People who work too hard will age quickly,” he said.

According to Mahathir, himself a model of a fit and healthy ageing person, the secret for one to look healthy and young was to be always happy in whatever one does.

He said abstaining from smoking and consuming alcoholic drinks and cultivating the habit of eating in moderation would help contribute to prevent dangerous diseases and made one look young.