Paying his last respects: Ismail Sabri offering his condolences to Vell Paari (on his right) as Saravanan and Samy Vellu’s family members look on at the late politician’s home.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong were among those who expressed their condolences to the family of former MIC president Tun S. Samy Vellu, who died yesterday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the country had lost a great leader who succeeded in uniting the Malaysian Indian community, while even those on the other side of the divide paid tribute, saying he always took up the cause of the Opposition if it involved the good of the people.
A post on the Istana Negara Facebook account said Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah expressed sadness at the passing of the former works minister and hoped family members would be resilient in their moment of grief.
“Their Majesties greatly appreciate his services, deeds, and sacrifices to the community,” it said.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the passing of the Malaysian special envoy to India.
“Saddened by the passing away of Tun Dr S. Samy Vellu, former Cabinet Minister of Malaysia and the first Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardee from Malaysia. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti,” Modi tweeted.
The PBSA is the highest Indian award for non-resident Indians.
Ismail Sabri said that Samy Vellu was known in the Indian community as the “father of unity”.
“He championed their interests, including in terms of the economy and others. The country has lost a great leader today,” he said.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, in a Facebook post, sent his condolences to the family.
“His passing is a huge loss to the country and society. His contributions and sacrifices as MIC president and Cabinet minister will continue to be remembered. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.
MIC president Tan Sri M. Vigneswaran, said he would continue the good work started by Samy Vellu.
“He has given much to the country, especially to the Indian community. I feel very sad as he has always treated me as family.
“For me, he was a mentor, and there is no other leader as great as him,” he said.
MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M Saravanan said Samy Vellu was a leader who was respected by all levels of the society.
“He is a leader like no other as he has ensured that MIC invested in education, with the party even owning a university to ensure the Indian community is educated,” said Saravanan, who is also the Human Resources Minister.
Former Pahang mentri besar Tan Sri Adnan Yaakob described Samy Vellu as “a colourful character and a sharp dresser”.
“He was frank but was full of wit. He always looked dashing and smart. My condolences to his family,” said Adnan.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said Samy Vellu was a very dedicated MP who believed in doing the best for the people.
“He was one who believed in developing the country’s infrastructure to benefit everyone,” he said.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who paid his respects at Samy Vellu’s house, agreed that his predecessor was someone who took his job seriously.
“We have lost someone who changed the country’s infrastructure for the better and paved the path of development to what it is today,” said Fadillah, who was a backbencher MP when Samy Vellu was works minister.
DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran also paid their respects at Samy Vellu’s Taman Kaya home.
Lim said Samy Vellu was someone who never held any personal grudges, although he might have told off the Opposition in Parliament.
“He never had any hard feelings even though we may have fought earlier in the Dewan Rakyat,” said Lim.
Kulasegaran said Samy Vellu was the kind of person who would act immediately if the Opposition raised issues in his constituency.
“He would make sure it was attended to and would even check with us in the Opposition if it had been attended to. He was a good man,” said Kulasegaran.
DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said Samy Vellu was a “great fighter”.
“Although he was responsible for my seven-month suspension from Parliament in 1992, there was nothing personal between us. We had the greatest respect for each other. The country has lost a great son,” he said.
