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Ethnic Tamil Minister Samy Vellu defeated in Malaysian polls |
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Malaysia's long-serving Tamil Minister Samy Vellu was on Saturday handed down a surprise defeat in Malaysian snap polls seen as a "litmus test" for the ruling coalition, which faces the danger of getting its majority dented. Though Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's Barisan Nasional party won all the six seats for which results were announced, it may lose in provincial polls in Penang and Kelantan. Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) President Vellu, who had served eight terms in Parliament and was Works Minister of Malaysia for long, was given the worst birthday gift on a day he turned 72.
Samy Vellu lost touch with the Tamil masses and failed to represent or raise voice for them in the ruling government, analysts said.
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