On behalf of MIC and my family, with great sorrow and sense of loss, I convey my heartfelt condolences on the demise of Toh Puan Uma Sambanthan. She was such a tall figure with warmth and kind and was always looked upon by all of us as one of the living memories of our rich history.
As the wife of Tun V.T.Sambanthan, the 5th President of MIC, her contributions to the Indian community are immense and will always be cherished and remembered. During the quest for people seeking independence of Malaya, and in pursuit of seeking support for MIC she had travelled the length and breadth of the country with her husband meeting scores of people and listening to their plights.
Her dedication and sacrifice in the early days for developing National Land Finance Cooperative (NLFCS) are well known. The NLFCS stands with pride as one of the biggest cooperatives in the region. After the demise of Tun Sambanthan she even served as the Cooperative’s Chairman for several years offering her guidance and leadership.
The demise of her beloved husband did not deter her from performing people-orientated social services as she continued to offer her services in whichever way she can to many organisations and individuals.
Despite her age and health she always attended public functions and enjoyed the presence of people who revered her for her motherly blessings.
We in MIC will always remember her contributions to the party and the political journey of the Indian community. She was also seen as one of the early women leaders of the Indian community to take on notable leadership roles at a time when Indian women were not forthcoming to take on public roles.
We share the grief and sorrow of Toh Puan’s family during this difficult time and pray for her soul to rest in peace.
Tan Sri S.A.Vigneswaran
President, Malaysian Indian Congress
Speaker, Dewan Negara
31 January 2020
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