Vellu may be Malaysia’s special envoy to India

KUALA LUMPUR - S. Samy Vellu, who quit as president of Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), has said he is awaiting a formal word on his appointment as the country’s special envoy to India and four other South Asian countries.

Vellu said any announcement should come from Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

There is speculation that he has been appointed ambassador in charge of obtaining infrastructure projects for Malaysian contractors in South Asian countries.

“I am not new to the task anyway. I have been doing the job for years,” The Star newspaper quoted him as saying at a farewell dinner hosted by his MIC colleagues.

Malaysia is looking for more infrastructure projects in South Asia, especially in India.

Vellu said he had visited several countries, including India, over the past few months to obtain projects for Malaysian contractors.

“I had discussions on projects for PLUS, Hopetech and UEM, in India. Even Middle East companies have approached us for joint ventures with Malaysian companies,” he said.

On his immediate plans after retirement, Vellu said he would concentrate on the Maju Institute of Educational Development, the party’s education arm, of which he is continues to be the chairman.

MIC is the country’s largest and oldest Indian-based party that has traditionally spoken for 2.1 million ethnic Indians, who constitute about eight percent of Malaysia’s 28 million population.

Vellu, who had been heading the party since 1979, resigned Monday and handed over the reins to his deputy G. Palanivel, who is now the eighth party president.

“I am still an MIC member and will continue to help Malaysian Indians,” he said.