Now that G Palanivel is safely ensconced as MIC deputy president and now that MIC president S Samy Vellu need not fear a stab in the back and now that his former deputy S Subramaniam has fallen to the ocean floor, it is time Samy Vellu lay out a plan for his eventual retirement.

But at the close of the 60th general assembly of the party at the PWTC on Sunday, Samy Vellu declared he will quit only when he is ready. 'When the right time comes, I will announce it myself', he said with a hearty laugh when asked about his Gerakan counterpart Dr Lim Keng Yaik's decision to resign next year.