GEORGE TOWN – Former deputy chief minister of Penang and interim chairman of Urimai, P. Ramasamy has long been a vocal critic of MIC, starting from his time in DAP and continuing to the present regarding the party’s approach to Indian community issues.
Despite his criticisms of the Barisan Nasional (BN) component party, Ramasamy’s relationship with the late party president Datuk Seri G Palanivel remained strong, as the two maintained a good friendship over the years, despite their significant political differences.
Speaking to Scoop, The former Perai assemblyman referred to Palanivel as a good friend who openly demonstrated the bond they had formed over the years to his former party colleagues.
“He could even claim in a MIC meeting that Ramasamy is his good friend,” Ramasamy laughed as he recalled his memories with the late MIC leader when contacted.
“Can you imagine the reaction when a party president claims that Ramasamy, who is the strongest critic of MIC, is actually a good friend of his?”
Ramasamy mentioned that his friendship with Palanivel dates back to his time in academia when he worked as a lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
During that period, he conducted field research for Palanivel, who was serving as a deputy minister. The research focused on homeownership programs for plantation workers.
Ramasamy noted that even after leaving academia to join the opposition party DAP and becoming Penang’s deputy chief minister II in 2008, his friendship with Palanivel continued, especially after Palanivel became the president of MIC in 2010, despite their parties being political rivals at the time.
“When he was the MIC president, he would come down to Penang and we would meet. We (still) had a good relationship.”
Palanivel died at Hospital Kuala Lumpur this morning, at the age of 76. Palanivel left behind wife, Datin Seri R Kanagam and four sons.
The wake will be held tomorrow from 9am to 9pm at No 3, Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar and the funeral will be held on Thursday at 1.30pm.
Meanwhile, Ramasamy spoke highly of the late MIC leader, describing him as an honest and decent individual who was never involved in any scandals.
He added that Palanivel was “a leader in his own right” who developed into a very independent-minded MIC president, which may have contributed to his downfall.
“It was unfortunate that he was removed by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. He had shared with me his numerous plans for the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur, which he was unable to implement.”
Palanivel was one of five leaders removed from the Cabinet during a reshuffle by Najib in 2015, alongside former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
This dismissal occurred during a period of internal conflict within the MIC, which ultimately resulted in his exit from the party that same year.
Ramasamy, who last saw Palanivel on March 31 of the previous year, expressed that the loss of his close friend is a tragedy, especially considering Palanivel’s genuine dedication to the Indian community without seeking any financial gain.
“This reflects the kind of relationship we shared. While we had different ideologies, it never affected our friendship,” Ramasamy noted. – June 17, 2025