Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said he respects S Samy Vellu’s decision to step down as MIC president in January next year.

Samy Vellu, one of the longest serving leaders in Asia, announced yesterday that he would be stepping down in January.

"I respect Samy’s decision because I think everybody realises as a politician there will come a time when we have to leave the stage," he told reporters when asked to comment on Samy Vellu's decision.

mic agm 110710 s samy vellu 3 "But it is important that when we leave the stage, we leave behind first of all, a legacy, and secondly we leave behind a party that is strong and that should be the spirit of everyone."

"It  doesn’t only apply to Samy but applies to all of us, that one day we have to leave the stage, then we should exit gracefully," said Najib.

He was met after visiting a government hospital design competition exhibition at the Finance Ministry in Putrajaya.

"And at the same time what is most important is for us to leave behind a good track record in performance and there is going to be somebody or our successor who will be able to carry forward the mission or struggle."

'No such thing as a fixed time frame'

He said leaving the stage abruptly was also bad "because then the party will be in a state of flux."

"You must always ensure there is continuity in the leadership. It doesn’t matter what time frame and there is no such thing as a fixed time frame but what is important is that we know when is the right time to leave and at the same time prepare for the line of succession."

Asked whether he was aware of this announcement, Najib said, "he was well aware of Samy’s expected announcement."

"I wish to thank him. We must not forget over the years, he has contributed towards MIC as well as the government," said the BN chairperson.

In making the announcement yesterday, the 74-year-old Kluang-born Samy Vellu said his deputy and former press secretary senator G Palanivel would succeed him.

Samy Vellu took over the helm of the party as acting president on Sept 13, 1979 following the death of V Manickavasagam.

He was the works minister and the longest serving minister in the cabinet until he lost his parliamentary seat in the 2008 general elections.

He was first appointed to the cabinet in 1978 as housing and local government deputy minister but became minister of works from 1979 to 1989, before taking over as minister for energy, telecommunication and post from 1989 to 1995 before returning to the Works Ministry, where he remained until he lost his parliamentary seat to Michael Jeyakumar.

- Bernama