MIC pesident S Samy Vellu said today that he had sacrificed his time, energy and money to ensure the Indians in this country lived a better life during the last 22 years he had been the MIC boss.

"I've raised numerous issues in the cabinet and have brought results. This has helped the Indian community on the whole," Bernama quoted him as saying.

He also took to task Indians whom he said are not cooperating with the party to uplift the socio-economic status of the community.

"Some people are asking what we did for the community over the last 22 years. We've done so many things during this period that it will be just too much for us to list down one-by-one," he said.

The MIC believed in working for the people, especially the Indian community, and not clamour for cheap publicity as "some parties" have resorted to, said the Works Minister when speaking at the party's National Election Machinery Convention.

MIC struggles everyday

About 10,000 MIC leaders from the branch, division and state levels attended the one-day convention which was opened by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Asked at a media conference later whether he was referring to anyone or any party in particular, Samy Vellu said his statement was a general one.

"I'm just telling this to those who do not cooperate with us. We in the MIC struggle to help the community everyday. This can only be done by the MIC which is the sole Indian political party in the country," he said.

In his speech, Samy Vellu paid tribute to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah.

He also pledged that the MIC would not only work with Abdullah but also give him undivided support to ride the waves of Malaysia's present success and bring the country to even greater heights.