KUALA LUMPUR – Former MIC president Tun S. Samy Vellu has passed away today at the age of 86 in his residence, here, this morning.
In a brief post on Facebook, former Segamat MP and former MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam paid tribute to the party’s longest serving president.
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I received the tragic news of the demise of Tun Samy Vellu, the former president of MIC and a legendary minister in the Malaysian cabinet from his son Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari.
“To many of us, he was the ultimate mentor.”
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I received the tragic news of the demise of Tun Samyvellu the Former...
Posted by Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam on Wednesday, September 14, 2022
“His contribution to the nation and to the Indian community will be permanently etched in our memories.
“MIED, Aimst University, and Tafe College were his immortal contributions.
“My deepest condolences to Toh Puan Indrani Samy Vellu, Vell Paari and the rest of the family on his demise.
“He led a full and glorious life and is going off filled with deep respect and appreciation.
May his soul reach the abode of the Lord,” he said in his post.
It is learnt that Samy Vellu had apparently died in his sleep with reasons behind his demise remaining undisclosed at present.
According to his former press secretary Datuk E. Sivabalan, those who wish to pay their final respects may do so after 2pm today at the late politician’s residence at No. 19, Lengkongan Vethavanam, Batu 3 1/2, Jalan Ipoh, here.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Sivabalan added that the funeral procession will leave the residence at 3pm tomorrow (September 16) and arrive at 4pm at the DBKL Crematorium, at Jalan Kuari, Taman Pertama, Cheras, here, for the final rites.
Samy Vellu was Sg Siput MP from 1974 to 2008 and served in the cabinet for 29 years as works minister between 1983 to 1989 and again from 1995 to 2008.
He had also served as energy, communications and posts minister in a stint between 1989 to 1995.
He helmed MIC as its president for 31 years from 1979 before relinquishing the post in 2010.
Post-MIC, Samy Vellu last served as Malaysia’s Special Envoy of Infrastructure to India and Southern Asia, with ministerial rank in 2011 following his appointment by the Barisan Nasional administration before it was terminated by the Pakatan Harapan government in 2018. – The Vibes, September 15, 2022