[UPDATED] Ramesh Rao, Zahid’s special officer for Indian affairs, dies

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri K.N. Ramesh Rao, who was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s newly appointed special officer for Indian affairs, died today.

Bernama TV tweeted about his death this morning but gave no details.

In a statement, Zahid confirmed Ramesh’s passing this morning and expressed his condolences to his late special officer’s family and friends.

“With sadness, I and all staff at the Deputy Prime Minister's office and at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry express our condolence to the family of Ramesh Rao Krishnan Nadu.

“I highly value his service and contributions to the community and country,” Zahid said.

Ramesh had been notorious as a Barisan Nasional (BN) apologist, regularly using his non-governmental organisation Pertubuhan Minda dan Sosial Prihatin as a platform to attack BN’s rivals, before the coalition joined the unity government after the 15th general election.

He would also regularly lodge police reports against government critics.

On December 24, Zahid announced Ramesh’s appointment as his special officer in charge of Indian affairs. 

On Facebook, news of his death was also shared with condolence messages to his family from social media users who appeared to be his friends.

Ramesh last issued a press statement yesterday urging the government to communicate better on the aid and benefits available to those eligible.

He said some 60% of Malaysians were found to be unaware of various assistance and welfare provided by the government.

His last post on Facebook was a musing on the ongoing Umno annual general assembly and how it coincided with the Pongal festival for Tamils.

Ramesh wrote that the first day of Pongal is called “Bhogi”, a day when Telegu people will burn their old and unused items as a symbolic cleansing.

“Hopefully tomorrow Umno will also burn any useless rubbish to cleanse the party,” he wrote. – The Vibes, January 14, 2023