Emotional tributes pour in for 'Man of Steel' Samy Vellu

KUALA LUMPUR: Condolences and emotional tributes have started pouring in following the passing of former MIC president Tun S. Samy Vellu today with a number of leaders sharing fond memories of him.

Samy Vellu's former press secretary Datuk E. Sivabalan said the "Man of Steel" and the father of Malaysian highways is no more but his legacy lives on.

Sivabalan who served Samy Vellu as his aide for the past 34 years in various capacities from special officer at the MIC headquarters in 1988 to Principal Private Secretary from 2010 to 2018 during which time Samy Vellu was the Special Envoy with Ministerial rank to India and South Asia, recalled some of his memories.

"During a Cabinet meeting, Samy Vellu had requested for additional allocations from the then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the development of the Indian community. Initially when the request was rejected, Tun Samy Vellu got up from his seat and rushed out to the rest room.

"Tun Mahathir had to send the late Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik (who was Energy, Water and Telecommunications Minister then) to "pacify" Samy Vellu and bring him back and Samy Vellu finally got what he wanted from Tun Mahathir. It was Samy's strategy to get matters done for his community," he said in a statement, today.

Samy Vellu passed away at his residence here at about 7am at the age of 86.

Meawhile, MIC president Tan Sri S. A. Vigneswaran said Samy Vellu's immense contribution to the party, society and country will never be forgotten.

"For many of us, Tun was more than a President. A fatherly figure who guided us, trained us and made us who we are today. Tun will be missed by all who knew him, but his legacy and the memories of him will live on. Thank you, Tun," he said.

Former MIC president Tan Sri Dr S. Subramaniam also took to Facebook to pay tribute to Samy Vellu, saying his contribution to the nation and Indian community will be permanently etched in memories while Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED), AIMST University, and Tafe College were his immortal contributions.

"To many of us ,he was the ultimate mentor. He led a full and glorious life and is going off filled with deep respect and appreciation. May his soul reach the abode of the Lord. Om Namashivaya," he said.

Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament, M.Kula Segaran described Samy Vellu as a "fighter in many ways".

"Though we had disagreements, at opposite sides of the aisle, he was a good friend. Many debates we had, including on the South Indian Labour Fund," he tweeted.

Former President of Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) Datuk A.Vaithilingam said for three decades the former MIC president had fought hard on the issue of bringing in qualified priests to fill the shortage of priests in Hindu temples.

"He had worked closely with MHS in obtaining permits from State governments and Local Councils to build or renovate temples. The relationship between MIC and MHS was transparent and straightforward in seeking help during that period," he said.

Meanwhile, MCA president Wee Ka Siong described Samy Vellu's passing as a great loss to Malaysians and the country.

Samy Vellu, who was MIC president from 1981 to 2010, was one of the longest-serving leaders in the Cabinet. He was a Cabinet member for about three decades, starting as Public Works Minister in 1979.

-- BERNAMA