By Ve Elanjelian
I first encountered VK Regu at an EWRF discussion held at their HQ in August 2002. I had just returned to Malaysia, and Regu, then the Deputy President of MIYC, was rather vocal. We met again days later at a function organized by the PMO at the Istana Hotel. Regu spoke of his involvement in a Hindu revolutionary group prepared to shed blood on the streets. I was unsure if this was mere rhetoric or serious intent, but he sounded committed. We became friends; his intensity captivated me, even if his politics did not.
I subsequently saw him regularly at Tamil Foundation events. Paradoxically, while he was always intense, he seldom translated that fervour into political action. We travelled together often, and I found him to be an excellent conversationalist.
Later, during my time at MCEF, we collaborated on establishing Program Selamat Pagi and a preschool at SJKT Meru, where he had become the PIBG Chairman. His bias for action was evident: he established a worm farm as a revenue venture, took over canteen management, built a running track, and introduced archery. He was highly operationally driven, even if the long-term impact of these ventures was occasionally debatable.
Regu’s next chapter began with Hindraf, where he was a true prime mover. Serving as the organisation’s secretary, he hosted the first Hindraf meeting at the Tamil Foundation—likely in 2006, following the M. Moorthy case.
Activity was initially sparse, save for protests against a local “Guruji” claiming divinity. Then, the Hindraf phenomenon truly emerged. Around April 2007, Regu was compiling evidence he and Waytha Moorthy had reportedly gathered from London.
He was instrumental in organizing Hindraf’s first major event at the Chinese Assembly Hall. The massive turnout was the catalyst Regu had sought for years. Yet, more charismatic figures eventually pushed him aside. I remember feeling sorry for him; it was meant to be his moment in the sun, but he was relegated to the sidelines—a contender who became a pretender.
He later leveraged this history to secure government engagement, first from the Badawi administration and later from Najib’s. He successfully secured a substantial contract to manage the Project Management Office for 37 Tamil Schools approved under the 2012 package. It was a protracted affair, marked by both success and significant discontent.
I last saw Regu in May 2018. Rightly or wrongly, I became the conduit between him and the PMO—a thoroughly unpleasant experience for me. Yet, I still hold fond memories of him. My politics were often diametrically opposed to his, but I genuinely admired his zeal, commitment, and ability to generate fresh ideas.
Such individuals are rare. He will be missed by everyone whose lives he touched.
