Over 300 friends and family members were present at the crematorium to pay their last respects to Samy Vellu, including Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran and MIC Puteri chief Shaliny Rajaram. - NSTP/FATHIL ASRI.
Over 300 friends and family members were present at the crematorium to pay their last respects to Samy Vellu, including Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran and MIC Puteri chief Shaliny Rajaram. - NSTP/FATHIL ASRI.

KUALA LUMPUR: The remains of former MIC president Tun S. Samy Vellu, who passed away yesterday, were cremated at the DBKL Crematorium, Cheras, at 5.37pm today.

A sad atmosphere enveloped the crematorium grounds as some of those present could not contain their grief and wept as soon as Samy Vellu's remains arrived at 4.28pm.

The sound of a conch shell horn was heard accompanying his arrival, while a flute was played as his gold-coloured casket was placed in the crematorium for last rites.

Before arriving at the crematorium, the hearse with his remains drove past the MIC headquarters in Jalan Rahmat for the last time.

Over 300 friends and family members were present at the crematorium to pay their last respects to Samy Vellu, including Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran and MIC Puteri chief Shaliny Rajaram.

Earlier today, a long list of dignitaries, leaders, friends and family members paid their last respects at his family home off Jalan Ipoh here.

Among them were Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizuddin Shah, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, former women, family and community development minister Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.

Samy Vellu was the longest serving cabinet minister. He was the works minister from 1979 to 1989 and had a second stint between 1995 and 2008.

In between, he served as the energy, communications and post minister from 1989 to 1995.

The eight-term Sungai Siput member of parliament died in his sleep at 8am on Thursday. He was 86.

He leaves behind a wife, two children, four grandchildren and a great-grandson.