Samy’s former mistress Meeriam had initiated a legal proceeding against Samy and his son Vell.
Datuk Seri S Vell Paari said his decision to file an originating summons in the High Court against his father, Tun S Samy Vellu, was to protect the latter who is allegedly suffering from dementia.
The son of the former MIC president has filed a legal proceeding to determine his father’s mental health which allegedly has been deteriorating over the last two years.
The former MIC vice-president, through Messrs Mathews Hun Lachimanan, has named his father as the sole defendant in his originating summons filed at the High Court on Dec 2.
According to the summons, Vell Paari wants the court to determine when his father’s mental health deteriorated and whether Samy Vellu was capable of giving instructions to his counsel.
“We have no other choice. It’s a very difficult decision for the family,” he said.
Vell Paari, who is Samy Vellu’s eldest son, also wants to know all the properties owned by his 82-year-old father.
The plaintiff also is seeking Penang Adventist Hospital Neurobehavioural Medicine head Dr Prem Kumar Chandrasekaran or any expert in mental health to examine his father’s mental condition.
“This is to ensure that a report on the defendant’s mental health can be produced under Section 54 of Mental Health Act 2001.
“If the defendant is mentally disordered, we are seeking the court to appoint lawyer Datuk C Vijaya Kumar and Vell Paari or anyone deemed fit by the court to be appointed to a committee to organise his estate,” the statement said.
Vell Paari is also seeking an order from the court to declare him as a litigant in representing his father.
The 57-year-old politician in his supporting affidavit said Samy Vellu’s mental health had deteriorated since 2017.
He said that his father is no longer able to recognise many long-time friends, and while he is able to make occasional public appearances, he is no longer in the condition to give speeches.
“In so far as my father’s condition is concerned, because of his dementia, my father has poor recall and registration of recent events. The definition of ‘mental disorder’ under the Mental Health Act 2001 covers his condition,” he said.
“Psychiatrist consultant from Victoria, Professor David Ames, declared that my father suffered from dementia.
“Ames’ finding is also supported by his counterpart from Pantai Hospital Dr V Bharathi who had interviewed my father in March, April and May this year.
“His finding stated that my father suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and he was not capable of managing his estates, medication, and decision making,” he said.
Vell Paari said his father’s former mistress, Meeriam Rosaline a/p Edward Paul, had initiated a legal proceeding against him and his father at the Ipoh High Court.
“Meeriam is trying to take advantage of my father’s condition and trying to cross-examine him even though he did not affirm any affidavit.
“Meeriam is an opportunist and trying to stain my father’s name to extort his money for her own benefit.
“I believe my father is incapable of defending himself via affidavit or through written or oral evidence,” he said.
He sought to have this inquiry disposed before Meeriam’s suit as it could effect the latter’s proceedings.
It is believed that the suit filed by Meeriam is an RM20 million lawsuit.
Vell Paari insisted that he has “no difficulties or differences” with his father.
“In fact, towards early 2017, my father had authorised me to manage his personal and financial affairs for the benefit of himself and our family.
“My mother and sister are well aware of the application, and have affirmed their support for the application, in the interest of my father,” he said.
Samy Vellu served as Sungai Siput MP for eight terms from 1974 to 2008. From 1979 to 2008 he served two terms as works minister, and one as energy, telecommunications and posts minister.