KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIC president Tun S. Samy Vellu has died. He was 86.
This was announced by Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, who was also a former MIC president in a Facebook post today.
"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I received the tragic news of the demise of Tun Samy Vellu, the former president of MIC and a legendary minister in the Malaysian cabinet from his son, Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari.
"To many of us, he was the ultimate mentor. His contributions to the nation and to the Indian community will be permanently etched in our memories. MIED, Aimst University and Tafe College were his immortal contributions," he wrote.
Dr Subramaniam extended his deepest condolences to Toh Puan R. Indrani, Vell Paari and the rest of the family on the demise.
"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."
Born on March 8, 1936, Samy Vellu was the longest serving MIC president who held the position for 31 years from 1979. He was the seventh party president.
He was Sungai Siput MP from 1974 to 2008.
He was also the longest serving minister having helmed several ministries in the course of 29 years.
He was Works Minister from 1983 to 1989 and from 1995 to 2008.
He retired from politics in 2020.