KUALA LUMPUR – Two former cabinet colleagues have described the late Tun S. Samy Vellu as an unforgettable public servant.
As tributes and condolences for the former MIC president poured in, former international trade and industry minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz also lamented Samy Vellu’s passing.
“We were together in the cabinet for a long time. We were good friends… he called me ‘sister’. He would always say a special prayer at the temple for me during every general election.
“He served the nation well and knew all about public works. May his soul rest in peace,” she said in a message to The Vibes.
Another close friend and fellow former cabinet member, Tan Sri Rais Yatim, said Samy Vellu “is not someone you will ever forget”.
“His passing is a personal blow to me, he has been a buddy since 1974.
“His political style, his attire, his language and his leadership of the MIC – all point to high performance and quality for life of which he always had a penchant for.”
Rais told The Vibes that he knew Samy Vellu when he was a parliamentary secretary at the Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry and the latter was a Dewan Rakyat backbencher.
“Samy was a go-getter. What he wanted he got. He did a lot for the Indian community. Friends and foes cannot help but align him with the metronome in local Indian politics.
“The English translation of the Tamil poem Kavithaigal Love he recited in Sg Siput 25 years ago still rings in my ear – our feelings never end though our flesh and bones wither away... rest in peace, my friend, you remain one of a kind,” he added.
Samy Vellu, Rafidah and Rais had all served under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first tenure as prime minister.
Samy Vellu, who is former Sg Siput MP, was works minister from 1979 to 1989 and from 1995 to 2008. He was also the energy, telecommunications and posts minister from 1989 to 1995.
Members of the public who wish to pay their last respects to the late Samy Vellu will have the opportunity to do so from 2pm today at his residence at No. 19, Lengkongan Vethavanam, Batu 3 1/2, Jalan Ipoh here.
His body will be taken to the DBKL Crematorium in Cheras from his home at 3pm tomorrow. – The Vibes, September 15, 2022
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