V. T. Sambanthan
Malaysian politician
Died when: 59 years 336 days (719 months)Star Sign: Gemini
Tun Thirunyanasambanthan s/o Veerasamy (Tamil: திருஞானசம்பந்தன், romanized: Tiruñāṉacampantaṉ; 16 June 1919 – 18 May 1979) also known as V.T.
Sambanthan, was a Malayan and Malaysian politician who served as Minister of National Unity from January 1972 to 1974, Minister of Works, Posts and Telecommunications from April 1956 to December 1971, Minister of Health from 1957 to 1959, Minister of Labour from 1955 to 1957, Member of Parliament (MP) for Sungai Siput from July 1955 to June 1973, acting Prime Minister on 3 August 1973 for only a day and 5th President of the Malayan Indian Congress and later Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) from May 1955 to his removal from the party presidency in June 1973 by the party members.
He is widely known as one of the founding fathers of Malaysia representing one of the three main ethnicities, people of Indian origin along with Tunku Abdul Rahman representing Malay ethnicity and Tan Cheng Lock representing the Chinese ethnicity.
Sambanthan was one of the leading Indian leaders who played a prominent role in the independence movement in Malaya.As president of the MIC during this important period of transition, he worked closely with Alliance Party leader Tunku Abdul Rahman and they developed a close personal bond.
He is credited with three important developments in Malaysian political history: the consolidation of the Malayan (now Malaysian) Indian Congress, its transformation into a mass-based party, and its integral role as a partner in the current ruling alliance.
The entry of the MIC into the multi-communal Alliance in 1955 contributed greatly to enhancing the coalition's image as the main representative of the three main communities in Malaya.
The finest hour was achieved on 31 August 1957 when Independence was achieved under the Merdeka Agreement, to which Sambanthan was a signatory.
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