KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said anyone can contest for the presidency when nominations are held next year.

“I will not stop anyone from contesting for the post,” he said.

The 72-year-old, who has been the president since 1979, completes his term on March 8 next year. Elections would have to be held within two months after that.

Speaking to reporters after presenting the President’s Merit Award to 411 SPM and STPM students here on Thursday, he said: "Lots of people want to see Samy Vellu finished."

“I don’t worry about it. I will keep on serving the Indian community and the MIC until they say that they don’t want me … then I will say goodbye”, he said.

Samy Vellu failed to retain his Sungei Siput parliamentary seat in the March 8 general election.

Under the party constitution, anyone who wants to contest for the president’s post must garner 50 nominations signed by 300 branch chairmen before being eligible.