The younger brother of Works Minister S Samy Vellu passed away at 8pm at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur after suffering from a heart attack.

Contacted earlier this afternoon, the minister's press secretary E Sivabalan said SP Vellu, 68, ( photo ) was put in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after the attack.

According to Sivabalan, Vellu had undergone a heart bypass surgery several years ago. He said the minister, who is also MIC president, visited his brother this morning.

Vellu, who was a well-known lawyer, left behind three children. His wife had passed away two years ago.