Kuala Lumpur, Jan 12: The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president and Works Minister, S. Samy Vellu, has expressed shock over the brutal killing of S. Krishnasamy, a member of the national-level Central Committee of the MIC and a provincial legislator.

Samy Vellu, who was in India attending the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2008, said: "I am saddened by his sudden death. Such incidents should never have taken place."

"We have lost a warrior who fights for the people. Krishnasamy was a capable and dedicated leader. He was also a personal friend and he had always been a people's person," he added.

Extending his condolences to Krishnasamy's family, Samy Vellu said he was leaving it to the police to investigate the killing.

Meanwhile, MIC vice-president S. Veerasingam condemned the incident as ruthless and inhumane.

"This is not the first time such an incident, involving an MIC member, had taken place. I do not understand why such things happen," said Veerasingam.

Krishnasamy, a former contractor, had been actively involved in politics since 1995 and won the rural state seat of Tenggaroh for three terms.

He was also a member of the MIC Central Working Committee.

Krishnasamy, 61, was at the Johor MIC headquarters to attend a meeting when unidentified gunmen shot him at close range while he was in the lift.

Krishnasamy died shortly after the incident on Thursday afternoon, The New Straits Times Online reported. (ANI)