UPKO condoles demise of Samy Vellu

16 Sept 2022

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) expresses its sincere condolences to the family of the late Tun Samy Vellu Sangalimuthu and the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC) for their great loss.

Its president, Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau said Samy Vellu had contributed significantly in infrastructural development and privatisation projects.

Samy Vellu passed away yesterday - on the eve of the 59th Malaysia Day - at the age of 86

“In his thirty years of service as the Minister of Works / Minister of Works and Public Amenities (1979-1983, 1995-2008) and Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Posts (1989-1995).

“He had made many differences in infrastructural development and privatisation projects including the PLUS highway, the Penang Bridge, Telekom, Satellite MEASAT 1, TNB and Pos Malaysia, with both achievements and shortcomings,” he said in a statement today.

Madius added that Tun Samy Vellu was well-known to respond fast to complaints for issues that touched his heart.

He said in an episode better known in the Chinese community than others, Tun Samy Vellu responded positively to a group of civil society activists who conducted a brief survey with parliamentarians in Parliament on 19 July 2000, on the proposed relocation of eight cemeteries and crematoriums.

The brief survey covered eight Malaysian and foreign communities – Hokkien, Cantonese, Kwong Sai, Catholic, Hindu, Sikh, Sri Lankan Buddhist and Japanese.

“He promised to bring this issue – widely seen as a hot potato by his cabinet colleagues – in the 21 July 2000 cabinet meeting.

“His speaking up led to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to drop the relocation project.”

“Today, the eight cemeteries and crematoriums remain intact in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, thanks to Tun Samy Vellu’s intervention. May his soul rest in peace.”

Samy Vellu died in his sleep at home here early yesterday. His body will be cremated later this afternoon in Cheras.

Samy Vellu served as Minister of Works from June 1983 to June 1989 and again from May 1995 to March 2008. He was also the Minister of Energy, Telecommunications from June 1989 to May 1995.

From September 1979 to June 1983, he served as the Minister of Works and Public Amenities and was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sungai Siput from September 1974 to March 2008.

Samy vellu had also held the MIC presidential for 31 years from 1979 while also serving as a Cabinet minister for 29 years.