00:01Although his life was cut short at 53, former MIC President Tan Srivi Manikavasagam left an
00:08indelible mark on Malaysian politics, championing the socio-economic development of the Indian
00:13community while contributing to nation-building. Rising from grassroots politics to become a
00:19cabinet minister and the sixth MIC president, he led the party until his death in 1979.
00:26To mark the centenary of his birth, MIC launched a commemorative stamp featuring Manikavasagam's
00:33image on Saturday, honouring a leader whose political career spanned Malaysia's formative years.
00:43He was a visionary leader. His education fund, which actually grew and then we molded into M.I.D.
00:51His staff at college today, it was actually ITN. He was a dynamic leader, very unfortunate
00:59that we lost such leader. His contribution to the Indian community and the workers in every
01:08aspect. He's a man who started Sokso, which is for everybody now in this country, not for
01:17a particular race. His contribution, which actually should be celebrated by everybody. We will
01:26write to the government to give recognition by Sokso, to name one of its rehabilitation center,
01:36to be given the name under the late Tan Sri.
01:40And he was instrumental to establish Malaysian alliance system and so forth. So these are the
01:47contributions of Manikav, which are very significant for the Malaysian Indian community or Malaysians
01:52at large. Therefore, it is utmost duty of MIC for the Malaysian Indians to celebrate this
01:59under the IRC.
02:00Former Dewan Nagara President Tanshri Dr. Rais Yathim described Manikavasagam as an icon whose
02:06contributions extended beyond the Indian community.
02:09Tanshri Manikavasagam is an icon in Malaysia's politics, not only for MIC, but also for the
02:21various people and the national authorities in the past and also in the environment of the
02:27country.
02:32So we can also add a value to an international administration that is important to be able to
02:43develop and to provide the value of Malaysian for the future.
02:48So we are all going to offer the value of Malaysian in the future.
02:52and also Deputy President or Timbalan President,
02:59and also said that the culture to remember the long-term leaders
03:05who have been served must be a duty that is not left.
03:13Manikavasagam's political journey began in Klang,
03:16where he joined MIC before being elected to parliament in 1959.
03:21He later served as Deputy Labour Minister before joining the Cabinet,
03:25where he held the Labour, Communications and Transport portfolios.
03:29He became MIC President in 1973, succeeding Tun VT Sambanthan,
03:35and remained in the post until his death on October 12, 1979.
