Malaysian PM to discuss MIC leadership change plan with Samy Vellu

Kuala Lumpur, Sep. 21 (ANI): Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will meet Malaysian Indian Congress president S. Samy Vellu to discuss the leadership change plan of the party.

Najib confirmed that he had met Samy Vellu before the MIC election to discuss his succession plan.At that time, he told me that he could not step down and if he did, 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 BN's interference in the internal affairs of the MIC," The New Straits Times quoted Razak, as saying.

The MIC held its party polls last week to elect a deputy president, three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee members.

Samy Vellu, who has been MIC chief since 1981, won the party presidency for a record 11th consecutive term in March this year.

Earlier, former prime minister Dr Mohamad had warned that Samy Vellu would become a liability to the Barisan Nasional in the next general election, and he should step down.

To this, the MIC president had said that Dr Mahathir should not issue statements about the party leadership and that he had discussed with Najib on the party's succession plan in June, this year. (ANI)