Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (Hindraf) chairperson P Waythamoorthy has expressed optimism at his second in the government, this time under Pakatan Harapan instead of BN.
"I feel much better and comfortable as opposed to the previous time when I was in government.
"Obviously, I left (at the time) on grounds of principles because (then prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak did not keep his word," he told journalists after being sworn in as a senator.
Waythamoorthy was sworn in with seven other senators at the Dewan Negara today and will be sworn-in to his government position at Istana Negara this evening.
Waythamoorthy is expected to be made a full minister.
"I have had a lengthy chat with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and he is very supportive.
"I'm looking forward to serving Mahathir and my fellow colleagues in the cabinet. I'm also looking forward to serving the people of Malaysia," he said.
Waythamoorthy said he is "very confident" that the Harapan government will resolve the long-standing issues plaguing the Indian community and other marginalised communities.
Waythamoorthy had in the 13th general election backed BN after Najib endorsed Hindraf's blueprint for the Indian community.
He was subsequently made a deputy minister after BN won the 2013 general election.
Waythamoorthy resigned as deputy minister in Feb 2014, claiming that he was not able to implement the necessary changes under Najib's government.
Hindraf threw its support behind Harapan under Mahathir's leadership in the 14th general election.
Other senators sworn in today were Amanah's Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad and DAP's Liew Chin Tong.
Raja Kamarul said he hopes to represent the interest of east coast through his appointment.
"We will voice out on local issues in Terengganu which had been left behind in the national political landscape," he said.
While Harapan did well nationally in the May 9 general election, it was wiped out in the east coast, particularly in Kelantan and Terengganu, which were dominated by PAS.
Meanwhile, Liew said the new senators will need to play their role in a BN-controlled Dewan Negara.
"The Dewan Negara is controlled by BN and we are going in as the minority. It will be an important front," he said. -Mkini
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