By Kushsmita Dhevi Jaya Ram,

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 June 2025: Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, the former president of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), passed away today at the age of 76. His death was confirmed by MIC vice-president Datuk T. Murugiah, stating that Palanivel, who also served as former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, died at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital at 8 am.

Born on March 1, 1949, in Penang, Palanivel began his career in 1973 as a research officer at the National Museum for the Bujang Valley Project. He later joined the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) as a senior journalist in April 1977, and by 1984, he was appointed editor for domestic and economic news at the agency. From 1987 to 1990, he was seconded as press secretary to the then Works Minister, Tun S. Samy Vellu.

Palanivel became actively involved in politics through MIC in the early 1970s and first contested in the general election in 1990. He successfully won the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat in that election and served as its Member of Parliament for four consecutive terms before losing the seat in 2008. He made a return to Parliament in 2013 as the Member of Parliament for Cameron Highlands.