Emotional send-off for Samy Vellu in final journey

 

Former MIC president S Samy Vellu, a long-time Cabinet minister, was given an emotional send-off at his funeral in Kuala Lumpur today.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIC president S Samy Vellu was cremated at the city crematorium in Cheras today after the hearse carrying his remains made a final journey past party headquarters in Chow Kit.

Hundreds had lined the streets as the hearse drove by, allowing party members an opportunity to pay their last respects.

The hearse arrived in Cheras at about 4.30pm, and prayers were held, attended by about 300 people, with family members and MIC leaders, including party president SA Vigneswaran, deputy president M Saravanan, Puteri MIC leader Shaliny Rajaram, popular singer DJ Dave and songwriter Vairamuthu Ramasamy from India.

Samy Vellu, born on March 8, 1936, died peacefully at his home at 7am yesterday at the age of 86.

He was MP for Sungai Siput for a record eight terms from 1974 to 2008, and had served as works minister from 1979 to 1989 and again from 1995 to 2008.

Vigneswaran with teary eyes said the late Samy Vellu was a ‘father’ in the political circle and his contributions to the party and nation cannot be emulated.

“He groomed us from a young age to become future leaders and to continue the party’s struggle to uplift the welfare of members,” he told reporters at the crematorium. - FMT