Kuala Lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed sorrow over the passing of Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) founder Tan Sri Dr M. Thambirajah, whom he described as an influential and big-hearted figure in the field of education.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid shared in a post on X that Thambirajah was more than just an educator – he was his mentor, teacher, and lecturer during his time at Universiti Malaya (UM). Ahmad Zahid noted that they shared a close bond and a common belief that education is the primary catalyst for social transformation.

Ahmad Zahid described Thambirajah’s passing as a profound loss to the nation, especially in the ongoing efforts to uplift the educational standards of the Indian community. He emphasized that Thambirajah’s legacy would endure through the successes of the students he guided, the families he empowered, and the values he nurtured through his work at SMC.

He extended his deepest condolences to Thambirajah’s family and the entire SMC community, acknowledging that Thambirajah’s contributions and sacrifices will always be remembered and continue to inspire. Thambirajah, who founded SMC in 1982 as a non-governmental organisation focused on education and character development for the Indian community in Malaysia, died today at the age of 83.