Distinguished Malaysian Lawyer and Former Assemblyman VL Kandan Passes Away at 89

VL Kandan, a veteran Malaysian lawyer and former Sungai Way assemblyman, passed away at the age of 89. His death was confirmed by lawyer Karen Abraham of Shearn Delamore & Co, where Kandan had a distinguished legal career.

Born in Klang, Kandan was the younger brother of the late V Manickavasagam, who served as the president of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and as Malaysia’s labour minister from 1974 to 1979. Following in his brother’s footsteps, Kandan entered public service and was elected as the Sungai Way assemblyman for two consecutive terms from 1974 to 1982.

Before embarking on his legal profession, Kandan spent approximately five years working as a teacher. He later pursued legal studies in Britain, where he was called to the English Bar. Returning to Malaysia, he was admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 1965.

Kandan built a notable career at Shearn Delamore & Co, becoming particularly recognized for his expertise in intellectual property (IP) law. He was among the early practitioners in Malaysia to specialize in this field and played a significant role in developing IP practice both nationally and within the ASEAN region.

He served as the first president of the ASEAN Intellectual Property Association and was closely involved with the Malaysian Intellectual Property Association. His contributions included authoring the Background Reading Material on the Intellectual Property System of Malaysia, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Additionally, Kandan served on the board of the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation, now known as MyIPO. He represented Malaysia at numerous international IP forums and conferences, further advancing the country’s presence in global intellectual property discourse.

Beyond intellectual property, Kandan was also associated with the development of employment and industrial relations law in Malaysia. Shearn Delamore & Co highlighted his and retired Court of Appeal judge Mahadev Shankar’s roles as among the firm’s early practitioners before the Industrial Court.

His service to the legal profession extended to membership on the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board, contributing to the governance and ethical standards of the legal community.

Outside his legal and political career, Kandan remained active in community affairs. He was involved with the Pure Life Society, an organisation dedicated to caring for orphans and underprivileged children, where he held senior leadership positions.

Funeral arrangements have been announced, with funeral prayers scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. tomorrow, followed by cremation at 2 p.m. at the Kampung Tunku crematorium on Jalan 51A/229.

VL Kandan’s legacy encompasses significant contributions to Malaysian law, particularly in intellectual property and industrial relations, as well as dedicated public and community service.