Malaysia's ethnic Indian leader dies

T Rajagopalu, a former top leader of Malaysia's largest ethnic Indian political party Malaysian Indian Congress, died today at the age of 63.

Rajagopalu, a former chairman of MIC's Negri Sembilan state branch and a lawmaker from Jeram Padang, died of a heart ailment, reports said.

He is survived by wife Datin V Leelavathy and three sons.

"Rajagopalu's death is a big loss to the Indian community, particularly in this state. He had contributed a great deal for the development and progress of the Indian community, both in the political and social fields," MIC Central Working Committee member Datuk V S Mogan was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.