Malaysia's ethnic Indian political boss, S. Samy Vellu, resigned on Monday after a career spanning three decades which was marred by the collapse of his party in the last elections. Samy Vellu, 74, ruled the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), the third largest party in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, with an iron fist after becoming party president in 1979. He said he decided to step down to enable his successor to make the necessary preparations, especially to face the 13th general elections. Samy Vellu named his deputy G. Palanivel as his successor and said he was happy to hand over the baton. A former works minister in charge of infrastructure development, Samy Vellu indicated he would take up an official position as an envoy to boost economic ties with India.