Kuala Lumpur: The country lost a great leader with the passing of former MIC president Tun S. Samy Vellu at the age of 86, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said the late Samy Vellu previously succeeded in uniting the Indian community in Malaysia, apart from championing the fate of the community.
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“We have lost a great leader. Tun Samy Vellu has been considered the ‘father of unity’ for the Indian community.
“When Tun Samy Vellu was the president of MIC, he managed to unite the Indian community in Malaysia and always championed their interests including in terms of economy and others. The country has lost a great leader today,” he said.
Samy Vellu is understood to have died in his sleep.
Samy Vellu was the seventh MIC president and also the ethnic Indian party's longest-serving, holding the position for 31 years.
He was Sungai Siput MP from September 1974 to March 2008 and among the longest-serving ministers lasting 29 years.
He served as works minister from June 1983 to June 1989, and held that post again from May 1995 to March 2008.
He also held the ministerial portfolios for energy and telecommunications from June 1989 to May 1995, as well as works and public amenities from September 1979 to June 1983.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness.
Narendra also highlighted that Samy Vellu was the first Malaysian to be given the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, which is the highest honour conferred by India via the country’s president on overseas Indians who had made significant contributions in certain fields.
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