Dato’ V. L. Kandan, veteran politician and legal luminary, passes away at 89 

KUALA LUMPUR: Senior Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) leader, veteran politician, and renowned lawyer Dato’ V. L. Kandan passed away on Tuesday, September 15, at the age of 89.

Born on August 8, 1937, Dato’ Kandan was the younger brother of the late Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam, the 6th MIC National President. Throughout his decades-long career, he rendered distinguished service to the nation across politics, public administration, social work, and the legal profession.

Dato’ Kandan was the eighth of nine siblings born to Venkadasalam and Subbammal, who migrated to Malaya from Madurai, India, in the 1920s. His father initially worked at the Raja Musa Estate in Kuala Selangor before settling the family in Klang, where he ran a grocery store where young Kandan also assisted.

After receiving teacher training at Kirby College in England during the 1950s, Dato’ Kandan returned to Malaya and taught at Kajang High School for several years. After marrying Datin Vijaya, he returned to the UK to pursue law.

Upon qualifying as an advocate and solicitor, he joined Shearn Delamore & Co., one of Malaysia’s premier law firms. He built a distinguished career there, rising from a pupil in chambers to a senior partner, and served the firm until his retirement. Globally recognised for his expertise in Intellectual Property (IP) law, he remained a prominent figure in the international legal community.

Political and Public Career

Dato’ Kandan entered active politics as a close confidant and pillar of support to his brother, Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam. In the 1974 General Election, despite Tan Sri Manickavasagam’s initial hesitation about family members entering politics, key party figures, including then-Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Harun Idris and MIC Deputy President Tan Sri S. Athi Nahappan, persuaded him to endorse Kandan’s candidacy.

Dato’ Kandan contested and won the Sungei Way state assembly seat in Selangor and served two consecutive terms after another victory in 1978. During his political tenure, he served on the Selangor State Executive Council (EXCO). He held key leadership roles within MIC, including as the national youth leader and a Central Working Committee (CWC) member.

He briefly stepped back from legal practice to focus on public governance as an EXCO member of the Selangor State government before returning to full-time practice at Shearn Delamore & Co. after his state tenure.

Community Service and Educational Legacy

Beyond politics and law, Dato’ Kandan made extensive contributions to Indian culture, education, and community welfare. He played a pivotal role in formalising and establishing the traditional Indian martial art of Silambam in Malaysia, serving as the founder-President of the Malaysia Silambam Association.

He actively led and contributed to civic organisations, including the Puchong Sutta Samajam (Pure Life Society), where he was the Vice President and, for several years, chaired the Dr Rama Subbiah Scholarship Fund Board.

From 1998 onwards, he spearheaded and funded a book prize scheme under the Malaysian Tamil Writers Association, named in honour of his brother, Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam. Now managed by the Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam Scholarship Fund Board, led by Ramani Manickavasagam, the initiative continues to support Tamil literature.

Kandan was instrumental in arranging Scientist Stephen Hawking’s visit to Malaysia

While serving as chairman of the Tan Sri Augustine Ong Fellowship Trust, Datuk V. L. Kandan was instrumental in Hawking’s 1994 visit, as he made contact with Hawking with the help of the then director of the British Council.

Dato’ V. L. Kandan’s lifelong dedication to public service, the legal field, and the Malaysian Indian community leaves behind an enduring legacy across the nation.