Dato V.L.Kandan was a truthful and honest politician: former MIC Youth Secretary Masilamani pays tribute!

(R.Masilamani, Former Secretary, MIC National Youth Section; Former Secretary, MIC Wilayah Persekutuan State Congress; Former CWC Member, MIC)

I first met Dato’ Kandan as my political leader in 1975. Since then, we have worked together on many projects and through many challenges. He never wavered from his principles. He was a pure idol of truth and honesty. I am a leadership expert myself, and I know these two qualities are among the most essential in leadership.

But politics does not appreciate such leadership qualities. Politicians generally survive on anti-leadership qualities, except some like Kandan. Unfortunately for Kandan, his impeccable qualities affected his political career. Most often, he dangled between political reality and the ideal life.

Until his death, he upheld his belief in MIC as the only group that can work with the Government for Indian care. Until his last breath, he had wanted to serve the Indian community by limping and wobbling to meetings and functions that mattered to him. Amazingly, he was a rare person who cared about others far more than himself.

Kandan created the first disciplined MIC youth brigade and set the MIC youth wing on a new reformative path when he became MIC youth leader in 1976. He built momentum by promoting a long-running national training and seminar series, naming it “The MIC Youth Transformation Seminars”. I had the privilege of working under him as the National Youth Secretary.

He also legalised Silambam in Malaysia by first lifting the ban on its practice. Subsequently, this visionary has propelled Silambam on the world stage. Today, Silambam is in the SUKMA Games and is actively going international.

As the Selangor state assemblyman, he initiated several projects, including intensifying state housing for Indian labour. The state has boosted his image by naming part of Puchong “Kampung Kandan”.

Kandan has shown that you don’t have to hold high positions to serve. You can be down and under, yet still serve those below you. Yes, he served the community until the last month of his life, when he was seriously taken ill.

Even in his professional career as an expert in “copyright law” and Intellectual Property, he achieved many milestones but missed a judgeship because of politics.

We are lucky that people like Kandan keep appearing and serving mankind in this world.

Let his soul rest in peace and remain a guide for future leaders, the youth and the people.

– R. Masilamani