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SIVAM BALAN - CONDOLENCE: A good man, a great loss to us all

ON Feb 28, Sivam Balan, the press secretary to Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, died in a road accident. He was 35.He was well liked, especially among the media fraternity. Wherever Dr Subramaniam was, Sivam was also present. Some had even mistaken him for Dr Subramaniam's son.Not many know that Sivam was known in the literary field, having written poems, short stories and essays.

He had also translated selected Malay poems and the Federal Constitution into Tamil. Sivam was from a humble background. His parents were rubber tappers. In Sivam's writings, he had always used his background as a platform to express the difficulties he faced in lifeHe also studied law at Universiti Malaya. While in university, he was active and was involved in numerous charitable works for the Indian community.

Sivam's death is a great loss to family, friends and society. We pray for his soul to rest in peace and hope that his family will cope in the face of this challenge.

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