SAMY VELLU NAMED SPECIAL ENVOY TO INDIA, SOUTH ASIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak on Sunday announced
the appointment of former Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president S. Samy
Vellu as Malaysia's special envoy on infrastructure to India and South Asia
effective Jan 1.

He said the appointment was in recognition of Samy' Vellu's enormous
contributions in helping Malaysian companies to implement development projects
on the Indian sub-continent.

"We don't want to lose him and his connection with these countries and I'm sure
many Malaysian companies will benefit from his role as a special envoy on
infrastructure," he said when launching a biography on Samy Vellu entitled "A
Life. A Legend. A Legacy" at the Malaysian International Exhibition and
Convention Centre (MIECC) in Seri Kembangan near here Sunday.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and newly appointed MIC
president G. Palanivel.

The special envoy post carries ministerial status.

Najib also praised Samy Vellu for his contributions after serving the people and
the country for 31 years, especially the establishment of Maju Institute of
Education Development (MIED), TAFE College, The Asian Institute of Medicine,
Science and Technology (AIMST) University, Social Strategic Foundation and
Social Rehabilitation Foundation.

"I hope you will talk about the legacy of S.Samy Vellu...I hope these
organisations will continue to grow in stature in the future," he said.

Najib in his speech also urged MIC under the new leadership to move as a team to
strenghthen unity of the party and put aside the personal ambitions and personal
interest.

"I'm counting on MIC. I want to make sure in the next general election Barisan
Nasional (BN) will win. We (BN component parties) must work as one group, unite
and must show under the new MIC leadership (MIC), we can rise to the challenge,"
he said.

As the BN's chairman, Najib said MIC must start looking for 'winnable'
candidates who were also the people's choice in ensuring MIC's reputation would
remain strong at the national and state level.

Samy Vellu, 74, the longest serving president of MIC, handed over the reins to
Palanivel earlier this month. He was a former Works Minister.
-- BERNAMA