Woman claiming to be Samy Vellu's companion wants RM25k monthly maintenance

An interim order from the High Court to have unrestricted access to S Samy Vellu has been filed by a woman identified as Meeriam Rosaline Edward Paul.

She claims to be the former MIC president's companion and wants an order from the court that she be paid RM25,000 maintenance monthly pending the outcome of her main suit, reported Free Malaysia Today.

The portal reported that Meeriam claims the maintenance and other benefits paid to her have been stopped.

She said Samy Vellu's son Vell Paari has disempowered the former financially and taken control over his finances since 2017 while denying payment of maintenance to her.

The interim application will be heard before the High Court judge Hashim Hamzah in Ipoh today.

Meeriam, who resides in Ipoh, is represented by lawyers RSN Rayer and Ramesh Sivakumar.

In her affidavit of support, Meeriam said she had entered into a "quasi-spousal union" with Samy Vellu since 1981 with documentary evidence supporting her claim.

On Monday, Vell Paari confirmed he had filed an originating summons at the High Court against his father over whether or not the latter is a mentally disordered person and capable of managing his own affairs.

He had instructed his solicitors to file the application on Dec 2 so that an inquiry could be held into his father's medical condition stating the family had no other choice.

"Essentially, the first is an action filed against my father and me by one Meeriam Rosaline Edward Paul.

"Secondly, my father had been diagnosed in 2017 as suffering from dementia due to Alzheimer's disease," he said.

It is believed the suit filed by Meeriam in the High Court in Ipoh is an RM20 million lawsuit.

Vell Paari said the definition of “mental disorder” under the Mental Health Act 2001 covers his condition.

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.