Former Negri Sembilan MIC chairperson T Rajagopalu died today of a heart attack, said his son Thinalan. Rajagopalu was 63.  

Rajagopalu died at 3.27am at the Mawar Hospital in Seremban, Thinalan said.  

“My father complained of difficulty breathing last night and we rushed him to the Mawar Hospital. He died at 3.27am,” he said.

Rajagopalu leaves behind wife V Leelavathy, 61, and three sons, Thinalan, 36, Kamalan, 32, and Dhineshwaran, 30.

Thinalan said his father’s remains had been brought to the family residence at 523, Taman Ujong, Jalan Jambu 2 in Seremban.

Rajagopalu would be cremated at the Jalan Tun Dr Ismail Crematorium in Seremban at 4.30pm today, he said.

Rajagopalu, a lawyer, was the head of the Rasah MIC division and chairperson of the Negri Sembilan NAAM Foundation.

He was a former MIC secretary-general, a former state assemblyperson for Jeram Padang and Port Dickson and a former state executive councillor.

‘Big loss to Indian Malaysian community’

MIC central working committee (CWC) member VS Mogan expressed shock over the death.

“Rajagopalu’s death is a big loss to the Indian Malaysian community, particularly in this state. He had contributed a great deal for the development and progress of the Indian community, both in the political and social fields,” he told Bernama .

 

Mogan, who is the Rembau MIC head, said the Wisma MIC building in Seremban was put up through the efforts of Rajagopalu.

Rajagopalu also helped to groom many second-echelon Indian leaders in the state, one of whom was himself, he said.    

“I served as the Negri Sembilan MIC secretary for 10 years under his leadership,” he added.

Jeram Padang state assemblyperson and state executive councillor L Manickam said Rajagopalu’s commitment to social and political work was beyond comparison.

He said Rajagopalu worked hard for the development and progress of the Indian Malaysian community.

“I admired the way he worked, always thinking how to improve the Indian Malaysian community. He is irreplaceable,” he added.

Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar and state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairperson Mohamad Hasan said the death of Rajagopalu was a great loss to the MIC and the BN.

“He was a hardworking individual, very dedicated and took his work seriously, especially as a state executive councillor. With his assistance, we were able to face the 13th general election last year and restore the confidence of the Indian community in the BN,” he said at the Government Pensioners’ Umno Club Aidilfitri reception in Seremban.

Mohamad said Rajagopalu, whom he had grown up with in Rantau, had looked after his health well.

He said Rajagopalu was a vegetarian who exercised often and was not a smoker.

“We have lost a beloved individual and a friend. I have lost a companion with whom I used to exchange views on politics and the problems of the Indian grassroots,” he said.

- Bernama