Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today paid tribute to the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) president Tan Sri M.G. Pandithan, saying he was steadfast in his resolve to uplift the life of the down-trodden. The prime minister said Pandithan was committed in pursuing the cause, thus earning the respect and admiration of his followers.
“He had always shown deep concern on issues concerning low-income earners and poor Indians. “That was his struggle all along and he showed seriousness and dedication. His followers loved him dearly,” he told reporters after paying his last respects to Pandithan at his residence in Taman Bukit Serdang.
Abdullah said Pandithan was also a strong supporter of the Barisan Nasional Barisan (BN) and as BN chairman he valued and appreciated Pandithan’s contributions to the coalition. “Pandithan was willing to lend a helping hand to BN at any time, not only during election time,” he said, adding that he was saddened by the loss of a calibre Indian leader.
Saying that he enjoyed close relations with Pandithan, a former MIC vice-president, the prime minister said he often visited him when he was ailing. “I was sad when informed of Pandithan’s passing. I regarded him as a friend and I supported his struggles,” he added.
source: NST
In a statement today, Samy Vellu said he is deeply sad over Pandithan’s demise. “We are shocked by his death and wish to extend our condolences to his family. Pandithan was a great leader who had the people in his heart. “He worked tirelessly for the Indian community and had achieved many successes. He is looked upon as a people’s leader with the qualities of a statesman,” he added. The MIC president said Pandithan will be remembered for his sacrifices and deeds as a leader of the people. “I will miss him a lot because he’s not only a leader of a mass-based party, but he was also my friend,” he added.
Meanwhile. Gerakan vice-president Dr S Vijayaratnam said Pandithan had been a great help to BN, including during general elections. “We will never forget his untiring efforts to help Malaysians of all walks of life, not only from the Indian community, but from other races as well,” said Vijayaratnam. “He had an almost Gandhian image of being kind to all, never losing his temper, but being firm and resolute when the need arose.”
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi paid his last respects to Pandithan at his residence in Seri Kembangan in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon. “He had always shown deep concern on issues concerning low-income earners and poor Indians,” he told Bernama. “That was his struggle all along and he showed seriousness and dedication. His followers loved him dearly.”
The Malaysian Hindu Sangam described Pandithan’s death as a great loss to the Indian community. In a statement, its president A Vaithilingam said he knew the late politician as a young journalist in the late sixties. “He was then very popular with the San Peng Road Indian community who were mostly in the poverty group. “I came to know him better in the seventies when we met at various seminars and youth training programmes. Though we had some differences in opinion, we were then together in the field of youth development..”
Vaithilingam said Pandithan was a dynamic leader of thousands until his illness. “He was a brave leader, a ‘Makkal Thondan’ (one who serves the people) and respected with love by his followers.”
source: http://malaysiakini.com/news/82137
MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel said Pandithan was the backbone of the IPF since its inception. “In fact, Samy and I visited him (Pandithan) yesterday morning at the hospital’s intensive care unit,” he said.
MIC vice-president Datuk S. Veerasingam said Pandithan single-handedly set up IPF and his death was a great loss to the party and also Barisan Nasional.
Former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam said that although Pandithan was ill for more than a year, he nevertheless, managed to run the IPF effectively. “It’s a sad news for me because he (Pandithan) was my colleague in MIC for almost 20 years before he formed IPF. “Pandithan comes from a humble background who eventually rose up ranks from a journalist to a parliamentary secretary to the trade and industry ministry. “He played an important role in uniting the lower income groups of Indians in the country,” said Subramaniam who is recuperating at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre after undergoing a slip-disc operation.
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk M. Kayveas said Pandithan was a true leader who fight for the lower income Indians.
source: NST
