D. R. Seenivasagam
Encyclopedia
Darma Raja Seenivasagam was a prominent leader of the People's Progressive Party (Malaysia)
. He is of Ceylonese Tamil ancestry.
He founded the PPP along with his brother, S.P. Seenivasagam. They were both prominent lawyers in Malaya
prior to forming the party. The PPP's stronghold was in Perak
and it received a lot of support, especially from the ethnic Chinese
voters.
Seenivasagam was elected in a by-election in 1957 to the Ipoh
parliamentary seat vacated by Tun Leong Yew Koh who went on to become Malacca
's first Governor.
While in the opposition, Seenivasagam lead the PPP to form the Malaysian Solidarity Council
(MSC) in 1965 comprising multi-racial parties like the People's Action Party
and the United Democratic Party
(UDP). At the MSC's first and only general meeting, several leaders from these parties gave speeches supporting a Malaysian Malaysia
. Seenivasagam in his speech accused the Alliance
of using Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia
to "bully non-Malays".
D. R. Seenivasagam Park, formerly known as Coronation Park, is named after the famous politician. It is located in the heart of Ipoh (New Town) and is famous for its scenic beauty and recreational facilities. It comprises recreational fields, an artificial lake filled with fish, a nursery for potted plants and a children's traffic playground. The latest addition is the newly landscaped Japanese garden featuring a Japanese carp pond.
People's Progressive Party (Malaysia)
The People's Progressive Party is a political party in Malaysia.The party is one of the constituent members of the ruling National Front and is a multiracial party.-History:...
. He is of Ceylonese Tamil ancestry.
He founded the PPP along with his brother, S.P. Seenivasagam. They were both prominent lawyers in Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
prior to forming the party. The PPP's stronghold was in Perak
Perak
Perak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
and it received a lot of support, especially from the ethnic Chinese
Malaysian Chinese
Malaysian Chinese is a Malaysian of Chinese origin. Most are descendants of Chinese who arrived between the fifteenth and the mid-twentieth centuries. Within Malaysia, they are usually simply referred to as "Chinese" in all languages. The term Chinese Malaysian is also sometimes used to refer to...
voters.
Seenivasagam was elected in a by-election in 1957 to the Ipoh
Ipoh
Ipoh is the capital city of Perak state, Malaysia. It is approximately 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur on the North-South Expressway....
parliamentary seat vacated by Tun Leong Yew Koh who went on to become Malacca
Malacca
Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...
's first Governor.
While in the opposition, Seenivasagam lead the PPP to form the Malaysian Solidarity Council
Malaysian Solidarity Council
The Malaysian Solidarity Council is a confederation of political parties formed in 1964 to oppose Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia. This article specifically provides special quotas for the Malay and other indigenous peoples of Malaysia in admission to the public service, awarding of...
(MSC) in 1965 comprising multi-racial parties like the People's Action Party
People's Action Party
The People's Action Party is the leading political party in Singapore. It has been the city-state's ruling political party since 1959....
and the United Democratic Party
United Democratic Party
There are several political parties called the United Democratic Party.* United Democratic Party * United Democratic Party * United Democratic Party, Cyprus* United Democratic Party...
(UDP). At the MSC's first and only general meeting, several leaders from these parties gave speeches supporting a Malaysian Malaysia
Malaysian Malaysia
The phrase "Malaysian Malaysia" was originally used in the early 1960s as the rallying motto of the Malaysian Solidarity Council, a confederation of political parties formed to oppose Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia...
. Seenivasagam in his speech accused the Alliance
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
of using Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia
Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia
Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia grants the Yang di-Pertuan Agong responsibility for “safeguard[ing] the special position of the ‘Malays’ and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities” and goes on to specify ways to do this, such...
to "bully non-Malays".
D. R. Seenivasagam Park, formerly known as Coronation Park, is named after the famous politician. It is located in the heart of Ipoh (New Town) and is famous for its scenic beauty and recreational facilities. It comprises recreational fields, an artificial lake filled with fish, a nursery for potted plants and a children's traffic playground. The latest addition is the newly landscaped Japanese garden featuring a Japanese carp pond.