KUALA LUMPUR – The late Tun S. Samy Vellu’s good sense of humour and his willingness to resolve disputes had exemplified the Barisan Nasional (BN) way of always reaching agreeable solutions, said former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik today.
Speaking to reporters after paying his final respects to Samy at his home here today, Dr Ling recalled past times in Parliament when he and Samy, who was a former MIC president and federal minister, had sat in a row with other prominent BN figures such as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“Even the most serious cabinet ministers would be laughing away because (Samy) would explain something in a funny way. Even (Mahathir) always enjoyed Samy’s jokes,” he said.
“Whatever disagreements we had, it was always resolved in some way. Irrespective of how difficult a problem was, there was for sure peace and harmony at the end of it. That is the Barisan way.”
He opined that the above is the underlying reason and vital factor behind the party remaining strong for so long.
“I hope the same philosophy stays with the rest of the cabinet who are still there (in Parliament),” he said, stressing that such principles must be upheld to ensure that “unnecessary problems” are solved while more time is freed up to concentrate on more pressing matters.
His comments echo memories with Samy shared by Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, who told reporters that Samy was always ready to meet and discuss situations to ensure the best possible outcome for the people.
He added that Samy was always forthcoming in offering assistance and would not hesitate to ask for help if it was ever needed for the sake of the people.
Meanwhile, current MCA president and transport minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said that Samy was a minister who never skipped cabinet sessions and was always ready to hear out problems brought before him before taking swift action.
The Ayer Hitam MP reminisced on how Samy, who was then works minister, had provided an allocation of RM32 million for road works in Wee’s constituency.
“Due to financial restrictions, we were having issues (with settling) road widening works.
“Within less than a week, (Samy) had ordered his team to assess the situation to see what can be done, and then he announced the RM32 million allocation,” he said.
“He was a very hands-on person who knew what he was talking about.”
The funeral services for Samy had concluded at the Cheras crematorium earlier this evening after a full day of prayers and rituals.
It was attended by more than 300 mourners consisting of family members and members of the public.
Samy died yesterday morning at the age of 86 in his residence here.
Besides being works minister from 1979 to 1989 and from 1995 to 2008, he was also the energy, telecommunications and posts minister from 1989 to 1995. – The Vibes, September 16, 2022
