11 Facts About Samy Vellu

Samy Vellu was a member and served as 7th President of the Malaysian Indian Congress, a component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, from October 1979 to December 2010.

Samy Vellu is the longest-serving MIC president having held the position for 31 years and one of the longest-serving Cabinet ministers at 29 years.

Samy Vellu made headline news by climbing up the Indonesian embassy's flag pole, pulling down the flag and burning it.

Samy Vellu was called Hero Malaysia on the front pages.

Samy Vellu was a Member of Parliament for Sungai Siput constituency for eight terms from September 1974 to March 2008.

Samy Vellu then served as Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Posts from 1989 to 1995.

Samy Vellu was the second longest serving minister in the country during his time, after Rafidah Aziz.

Samy Vellu was appointed Malaysia's Special Envoy of Infrastructure to India and Southern Asia, with ministerial rank, since 1 January 2011.

Samy Vellu was born in Kluang, Johor, and was of Indian descent.

Samy Vellu was married to Indrani Samy Vellu and had one son, Vell Paari.

Samy Vellu was a chartered architect and a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and of the Malaysian Institute of Architects.