‘Cabinet post not a waste of money’

According to PK Subayyah, an additional minister's post will allow MIC to serve the Indian community better.

KUALA LUMPUR: A MIC leader has defended party president G Palanivel’s appointment as a full minister, calling it a boon for the Indian community.

Taking critics to task, Penang MIC chief PK Subayyah said the appointment was not a financial burden or a waste of taxpayers’ money as claimed by certain quarters.

He argued that with two full ministers in the Cabinet, the other being deputy president Dr S Subramaniam, MIC would be able to serve the Indian community better.

“We have got an additional minister after nearly 30 years. How can this be bad? Look at Umno and MCA, they have numerous representatives in the Cabinet.

“With the MIC president now being a full minister, he can discharge his duties more effectively and speak up for the community in the Cabinet,” he told FMT.

Subbayah, who is a senator, also said that with the appointment, Indian support for Barisan Nasional would increase, and this had touched a raw nerve among certain quarters.

“I think those who are criticising the appointment are afraid of this,” he added.

During the 2008 general election, the Indian community, once considered true blue supporters of BN, had voted for the opposition instead.

In what was described as a political tsunami, MIC witnessed its worst ever electoral outing where its top brass, including the then number two Palanivel, failed to retain their seats.

The journalist-turned-politician was defeated in his stronghold of Hulu Selangor by 98 votes but MIC recaptured the Parliament seat during a by-election last year, fielding P Kamalanathan.

Palanivel, who took over the reins of MIC late last year, was later made a senator and then appointed deputy minister.

During the MIC annual general meeting over the last weekend, which came in the wake of the Bersih 2.0 rally, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced that the party president would be made a minister in the PM’s Department.