From a lecturer, research officer at a museum, consumer activist and journalist, MIC chief S Samy Vellu's former press secretary G Palanivel today took over the party leadership from his boss and mentor.

The 61-year-old deputy minister of plantation industries and commodities was named the party's eighth president, succeeding Samy Vellu who held the post for 31 years.

The former news editor of Bernama expressed his happiness and gratitude towards Samy Vellu for the smooth transition of power.

NONE Palanivel (right in photo) said the handing over process was done well by Samy Vellu as there were no opposing voices or discontent during the central working committee (CWC) meeting which endorsed the power transition.

"The transition was very smooth... I am so happy with the way handled it," he told a packed press conference after the party's CWC meeting.

While Palanivel was made the new MIC chief, party vice-president and Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam was also appointed as deputy president today.

It was an emotional farewell to Samy Vellu as several CWC members openly cried, but the outgoing chief remained cool throughout the press conference.

'I am quite a different person'

Asked about his immediate plans for the party, Palanivel declined to comment, saying that these would be revealed in the next few days.

"I will carry out my tasks with having him (Samy Vellu) as a role model... but I am quite a different person; he is an iron man. I will be moving slow and steady with my own style," he said.

Palanivel admitted that his leadership style would not be the same as his mentor's.

"We are different but we will work together as a force to strengthen the party," he said.

Born on March 1, 1949, Palanivel received his higher education at Universiti Malaya where he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1972.

He was then a lecturer in economics and history at Maktab Kadir Adabi in Kuantan before becoming the executive director of the Penang Consumers' Association.

He had also worked as a research officer with the National Museum (Lembah Bujang project) before joining Bernama in April 1977 where he rose to become news editor with the economics desk in 1984.

Palanivel's foray into politics started in 1987 when he was appointed press secretary to Samy Vellu.

In the 1990 general election, Palanivel contested and won the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat which he held until his defeat in the 2008 elections.

He was sworned in as a senator in May, 2010.

- Bernama