KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu vouched that he would "destroy" those who destroy the party before he steps down as party president next year.

"I'm not going to go like a fool from the MIC and I will make a good decision before I leave," he added when opening the Federal Territory MIC Convention, here Tuesday.

Samy Vellu who has been leading MIC for 31 years (since 1979) expressed high hopes that the next party president would run the party peacefully.

On another note, he dismissed the perception that MIC is no longer relevant for the Indian community as it had proven its worthiness by winning two by-elections.

"If MIC is not relevant, how then could we win in Bagan Pinang and Hulu Selangor (by-elections)?

"If we can go on with our transformation efforts, the MIC will continue to be accepted and respected," he said to about 300 delegates at the convention.

At a press conference before the convention, Samy Vellu announced that he would vacate the party top post "eight or nine months" before his current term expires in May 2012.

-- BERNAMA