KUALA LUMPUR: The king and queen today expressed their appreciation to what the late Tun S. Samy Vellu had done for the country.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah said they were saddened by the death of 86-year-old Samy Vellu, describing his passing as a tremendous loss to the nation.
"We extend our condolences to Samy Vellu's family and we hope they remain patient and strong during this tough time. We are very appreciative of his services, contributions and sacrifices to the people and nation," they said in a Facebook post.
They also remembered the various posts Samy Vellu held such as Works Minister from 1983 to 1989 and from 1995 to 2008; as well as Sungai Siput MP from 1974 to 2008.
"He also served as a member of the federal administration under three Prime Ministers namely Tun Hussein Onn, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dan Tun Abdullah Badawi from 1978 to 2008.
"He was also the longest serving cabinet minister and it spanned for 29 years," read the post.
His Majesties said Samy Vellu's foray into politics began when he joined the MIC Batu Caves branch at the age of 23 in 1959 and he soared to become the longest serving party president for 31-years from 1979 to 2010.
"He was also appointed Malaysia's special envoy to India and South Asia for Infrastructure. In the education field, he gave a lot by forming the Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED), Aimst University and Tafe College."
