KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Ramesh Rao, the special officer in charge of affairs related to the Indian community at the Deputy Prime Minister's Office, has died.
According to Bernama, Ramesh died this morning, although the cause of death was not reported.
Ramesh, who was president of non-governmental organisation Pertubuhan Minda dan Sosial Prihatin, was appointed to the post by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on December 24.
In a statement, Zahid expressed his condolences to Ramesh's family over his passing.
"With great sadness, me and the entire staff of the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and the Rural and Regional Development Ministry would like to extend our condolences to the family of the late Ramesh Rao a/l Krishna Naidu.
"May his family, friends and acquaintances stay patient and strong in facing the loss of their loved one.
"I really appreciate his service and dedication to the community and the country before and during his appointment," Zahid said in the statement.
Ramesh's appointment was slammed by critics, among them were Penang Deputy Chief Minister II and Penang DAP deputy chairman P. Ramasamy, who labeled it as "an insult to the Indian community" and that it would do more harm than good to the community.
