| D. R. Seenivasagam | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Religion | Hindu |
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".[1]
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.