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Malaysian Indian leader shot dead

SINGAPORE: A prominent Malaysian Indian politician was shot dead at Johor Baharu on Friday. S. Krishnasamy (61) was a member of the national-level Central Committee of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and a provincial legislator.

He was found dead in the elevator of the MIC office building and the authorities did not indicate the immediate line of investigation.

The apparent assassination occurred at a sensitive time in the government’s efforts to resolve issues concerning the ethnic Indian minority in Malaysia. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi condemned the killing as “a cruel and despicable act,” and called for a quick investigation.

Deputy Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Razak said the killing of a political leader, “not the culture here [Malaysia],” had “shocked the entire country.”

MIC president and Works Minister Samy Vellu said: “We have lost a strong and capable leader who has done a lot for the Malaysian Indian community.” Mr. Samy Vellu described Mr. Krishnasamy as a close friend and a high performer in the political domain.

No one claimed responsibility for the killing, and the authorities did not wish to speculate about possible motives.

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Malaysian Indian leader shot dead

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