Tun Sambanthan’s wife Uma dies (updated)

PETALING JAYA: Toh Puan Uma Sambanthan, wife of the late Tun VT Sambanthan, passed away at about 1.30pm on Friday.

She was 90 years old.

Sambanthan was the fifth president of the MIC, and one of the founding fathers along with Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tan Cheng Lock.

He was the MIC president from 1955 to 1973.

He held various ministerial portfolios: Labour (1955–57), Health (1957–59), Works, Posts and Telecommunications (1959–71), and National Unity (1972–74).

He was even Acting Prime Minister for a day in August 1973 when Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak was at a conference in Canada and Deputy Prime Minister Tun Dr Ismail died.

READ ALSO: The Sambanthan legacy

In her own right, Uma was an activist, social worker and leading figure of the cooperative movement in Malaysia.

She was well known for her charity work and as an advocate for women’s issues and rights. She was one of the founders of the National Council of Women's Organisations (NCWO) and its president at one stage.

She was also the chairman and director of the National Land Finance Cooperative Society (NLFC) from 1980 to 1995 and its president in 1995 and 1996.

The NLFC was established by her husband to prevent the fragmentation of estates in the early 1960s.

Those wishing to pay respects may do so at 1274, Jalan Tanjung, here until 4pm on Saturday (Feb 1).

The cortege will thereafter leave for the family home at No 52, Jalan Lintang, Sungai Siput, Perak.

It will then leave for the Sungai Siput Hindu crematorium at 11am on Sunday (Feb 2).