Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email An insight into a minister
By ELAN PERUMAL
SAMY Vellu as we know him is the latest book published by the MPH Group.
The 300-page coffee-table book was launched on Thursday by Cul-ture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim.
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Let's see now: Rais (right) and Samy Vellu taking a look at the book while Chitra looks on.
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The pictorial book, which covers the life of MIC president and Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu from the age of 12, was authored by Chitra Vasu.
It was Chitra’s admiration for Samy Vellu that inspired the UK-trained accountant to embark on her maiden book.
Samy Vellu as we know him com-prises interesting, inspiring and me-morable accounts by 97 people who are acquainted with the politician, some from as far back as 1946.
“It is extremely important for us to document the great achievements of our past and present leaders like Datuk Seri Samy Vellu; the wealth of experience acquired by these great leaders is vital to the next generation of Malaysian leaders.
“At MPH, we are fully committed to bringing you these great achievements through our books,” said MPH Group chief executive officer Datuk Ng Tien Chuan.
Rais said the book was unique as it was on a personality who was a “living legend” and someone whom he often met.
“We started as MPs together in 1974 and I have been here, gone out and returned to the government but Samy Vellu is still around as the country’s top leader of the Indian community.
“The book will relate to us how Samy Vellu, as a boy from the estate, came to Kuala Lumpur and worked as waiter, cook, bus conductor and office boy and then became a char-tered architect from the UK before making a name for himself as one of the country’s great leaders,” he said in speech prior to launching the book.
He added that people should not be discouraged by the book's 300- page extent as Samy Vellu's colourful life made interesting reading.
Chitra, who presented a copy of the book to Samy Vellu, whom she had first met when he presented her a gift for achieving excellent results in the Standard Five examination in 1982, said: “This is my gift to Datuk Seri on your 71st birthday; I did not expect it to become such a huge event.”
Chitra recalled that Samy Vellu had told the people who were at the prize-giving all those years ago, that “this girl will go very far in life”.
She said she had adored the leader from a very young age and Samy Vellu's photograph hung alongside a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on the wall of her house in Ipoh.
“I’m grateful to Datuk Seri Samy Vellu for he has funded my education throughout all the years,” said the 36-year-old chief executive officer of MIC’s Maju Institute for Educa-tion (MIED).
Chitra thanked Samy Vellu, all the 97 people who had contributed their accounts of the politician and her editorial team for her success.
“This is only my first book and I could not have done it without the support of various people who willingly came forward to assist me in accomplishing my ambition,” she said.
The book is available at MPH outlets at RM140 per copy.
