Tun S. Samy Vellu, who died today, is hailed for his contribution to Malaysia's infrastructure, but he had toiled to make the Indian community excel in education as well.
Advocating the need for every Indian family to have at least one graduate, he established the Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED) and set up Tafe College in Seremban and the Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology or AIMST University in Bedong, Kedah.
MIED has so far provided scholarships and loans to more than 15,000 students, most of whom were Indians, to pursue medical, engineering, economics and information technology degrees.
According to a book 'Samy Vellu, as we know him', he personally paid the plan fees, the charges imposed by the local authority for the access road and expenses for the soil tests, landscaping and foundation of the Tafe College.
Samy Vellu, who served as president of MIC from 1981 to 2010, obtained a loan of RM2.089 million from United Asian Bank in his own name for the construction of the college, it said.
He had also been persistent in maintaining and improving the lot of Tamil schools in the country.
The determination he showed in ensuring that his initiatives realised their goals can be traced back to Sept 17, 1963, at the height of the Indonesian Confrontation, when he climbed the flagpole and brought down the Indonesian flag at the Indonesian Embassy in Jalan Ampang here.
According to the book, Samy Vellu was hailed as a Malaysian hero after several newspapers reported the incident on their front pages the following day.
At the age of 23, he joined the Batu Caves MIC Branch and moved up the political ladder to become the party president, serving in the post for 31 years, from 1981 to 2010.
He outlasted other Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders. Fellow politicians the late Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik helmed Gerakan for 27 years (1980-2007), Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad spearheaded UMNO for 22 years (1981-2003), and Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik led the MCA for 16 years (1987-2003).
Samy Vellu also set up Maika Holdings and the Workers Housing Cooperative Society, the Social Strategic Foundation (YSS) and the Social Rehabilitation Foundation.
He also fought hard to bring in qualified priests to fill the shortage of priests in Hindu temples. He had worked closely with the Malaysia Hindu Sangam during the 90s to obtain permits from state governments and local councils to build or renovate temples.
He was one of the longest-serving leaders in the Cabinet. He was a Cabinet minister for about three decades, from 1979, mainly as the works minister.
Samy Vellu, who was born on March 8, 1936, died at about 7 am today at the age of 86. He leaves behind his wife Toh Puan R. Indrani, son Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari, daughter S. Mangayerkarasi, daughter-in-law Datin Seri Shaila Nair, four grandchildren and a great-grandson.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Sep 15 2022
![Samy Vellu, a champion of education for the Indian community Samy Vellu, a champion of education for the Indian community](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/61663245531_TunSSamyVellu.jpg)
Tun S. Samy Vellu, who died today, is hailed for his contribution to Malaysia's infrastructure, but he had toiled to make the Indian community excel in education as well. - BERNAMA
PDRM kutip lebih RM1 juta diskaun saman
Ketua Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik Kontinjen Pahang Deputi superintanden Ahmad Ridha Hariri berkata jumlah itu ialah hasil bayaran yang diterima daripada 2,000 pengunjung yang mendapatkan tawaran diskaun 50 peratus daripada PDRM.
AWANI Ringkas: Tuntutan RM100 juta tidak berasas
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
AWANI Borneo [07/07/2024] - Tiada kemalangan jiwa | PRN Sabah | Maal Hijrah 2024
Awani Borneo 7 Julai 2024 bersama Jasmine Abu Bakar;
1. Dua rumah musnah dalam kebakaran di Kundasang
2. Sabah tidak perlu parti luar, perkukuh blok Borneo - Shadie Apdal
3. Yang di-Pertuan Agong gesa kerajaan tingkat kuatkuasa kandungan ajaran sesat
1. Dua rumah musnah dalam kebakaran di Kundasang
2. Sabah tidak perlu parti luar, perkukuh blok Borneo - Shadie Apdal
3. Yang di-Pertuan Agong gesa kerajaan tingkat kuatkuasa kandungan ajaran sesat
![Exists, Ungu ‘berentap’ di pentas konsert pada 14 Julai ini Exists, Ungu ‘berentap’ di pentas konsert pada 14 Julai ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720350574_ExistsUngu.jpg)
Exists, Ungu ‘berentap’ di pentas konsert pada 14 Julai ini
Bakal berlangsung selama 3 jam setengah ini, konsert ini akan dipenuhi dengan lagu-lagu hit daripada dua buah kumpulan ini.
Urus tadbir perlu bersifat telus, ambil kira cabaran rakyat
Premier Sarawak, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg mahu urus tadbir wilayah itu sentiasa mengambil kira cabaran yang dihadapi oleh manusia sejagat.
Pendekatan agresif noktahkan miskin tegar di Sabah
Kerajaan Negeri Sabah terus mengambil pendekatan bersifat agresif bagi menoktahkan isu miskin tegar di Sabah.
Graduan Iban pertama Universiti Al-Azhar penerima Anugerah Ma’al Hijrah Sarawak 1446H
Graduan Iban pertama yang melanjutkan pengajian ke Universiti Al-Azhar di Kaherah, Mesir antara 14 penerima yang menerima Anugerah Ma’al Hijrah Sarawak pada Majlis Perhimpunan Ma’al Hijrah Peringkat Sarawak Tahun 1446H/2024M di Hikmah Exchange Event Centre, Kuching hari ini.
![Remaja Asia: Khai Xing-Aaron gagal akhiri kemarau tujuh tahun Malaysia Remaja Asia: Khai Xing-Aaron gagal akhiri kemarau tujuh tahun Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720347946_Badminton.jpg)
Remaja Asia: Khai Xing-Aaron gagal akhiri kemarau tujuh tahun Malaysia
Beregu lelaki negara Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai gagal mengakhiri kemarau kejuaraan selama tujuh tahun Malaysia di Kejohanan Badminton Remaja Asia.
Sabah tidak perlu parti luar, perkukuh blok Borneo - Shafie
Presiden Parti Warisan, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal memberitahu parti berasal dari Sarawak tidak perlu memasuki Sabah untuk mengukuhkan kerjasama blok borneo.
Dua rumah musnah dalam kebakaran di Kundasang
Dua buah rumah jenis separuh kekal musnah dalam kebakaran di Kampung Lembai Permai, Kundasang pada Ahad.
![Pusat Warisan dan Tamadun India Samy Vellu bakal diwujudkan Disember ini Pusat Warisan dan Tamadun India Samy Vellu bakal diwujudkan Disember ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-07/41437137626_samyvellu.jpg)
Pusat Warisan dan Tamadun India Samy Vellu bakal diwujudkan Disember ini
Beliau berkata, pusat berkenaan dijangka mula beroperasi di Universiti Aimst pertengahan Disember ini.