Vell Paari: I filed suit so that I can act in the best interest of my father

KLANG: Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari (pic), the son of former Works Minister Tun S. Samy Vellu, has dismissed speculation that he has arbitrarily filed a lawsuit to gain control of his father’s assets.

Vell Paari said there were no issues at all in his relationship with his father.

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The former MIC secretary-general had filed an originating summons against his father at the High Court on Dec 2.

He is seeking the court to determine if his father is mentally incapacitated under Section 52 of the Mental Health Act 2001.

Vell Paari added that his mother and sister were aware of the application and were supportive of the move in the best interest of his father.

He also said the application was necessary because of two main reasons.

One was that Samy Vellu, 82, had been diagnosed as suffering from dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease in 2017.

The other reason, he added when contacted, was due to a third party legal suit filed against Samy Vellu and him.

The suit was filed by one Meeriam Rosaline Edward Paul in the Ipoh Courts.

“The action filed against my father has to be defended and I have to be properly authorised by the courts, ” said Vell Paari.

He declined to elaborate on the case filed against him and his father, given that it would be tantamount to sub judice.

In regards to Samy Vellu’s condition, Vell Paari said because of the dementia, his father had poor recall and registration of recent events.

“The definition of mental disorder under the Mental Health Act 2001 covers his condition.

“Consequently, my father has to be assisted in managing his personal and financial affairs, ” he said.

Meanwhile, a source close to the family said that it was timely for Vell Paari to file the application to protect Samy Vellu’s interests.

He alleged that there were also incidences where the former MIC president was taken advantage of by outsiders.

“There have been instances where people have come to see him and ask him for money.

“They record the conversation and use it to claim that Samy Vellu had promised or committed to funding them, ” said the source.