RAMESH Rao, who was special officer to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, died this morning. He was 52.

People close to him said he suffered a cardiac arrest.

He was Zahid’s surprise appointment just three weeks ago. Ramesh had been placed in charge of Indian affairs.

Zahid conveyed his condolences in a statement to Ramesh’s family. He also commended Ramesh for his service to the nation before and during his tenure as his special officer.

Zahid had recently referred to Ramesh as his “younger brother”.

Ramesh appointment was not well received by the Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy, who said it would do the Indian community more harm than good.

Ramesh, who was Pertubuhan Minda dan Sosial Prihatin president, had rebutted with the claim that he had a good record of helping people. He had said that Zahid and former prime minister Najib Razak were both aware of his capabilities when he served in the Barisan Nasional administration.

On how he would help the Indian population, Ramesh said he intended to transform the community.

“If you look at the Indian communities in Europe or the United States, they are known as a professional community, despite being a minority,” he said.

“My mission is to transform the Indian minority in Malaysia into a professional community and I believe that we can do that. If they can do it (elsewhere), why not in Malaysia, which is such a rich country.”

He added he would prioritise education and health.

He had also urged the government to stop the sale of alcohol at 24-hour stores after 10pm and asked  Tamil schools to contact directly if they needed aid. – January 14, 2023.