Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s cabinet reshuffle has irked former Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy due to its lack of Indian representation.
However, newly minted Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said it was a non-issue as the new team is capable of addressing matters affecting all segments of society.
In a statement today, Ramasamy (above, right) referred to the new cabinet as a “big disappointment” to the Indians for failing to appoint an Indian minister.
The sole Indian minister in Anwar’s previous cabinet, V Sivakumar, was axed from the Human Resources Ministry and replaced with Steven Sim.
“Traditionally, from days of the MIC in the BN, the human resources portfolio was given to an Indian. Under the present reshuffle, this portfolio got snatched away from Indians.
“Surely, if Anwar had any respect for Indians, he would have appointed two Indians as full ministers. There are candidates in PKR and DAP who are qualified.
“This is not to forget MIC candidates like M Saravanan – who served as human resources minister in Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s cabinet.
“Whatever happened to the promise made by Anwar to MIC during a meeting before the last state elections, where he promised MIC posts in the government,” Ramasamy asked.
In his response, Gobind said that all communities faced issues that were of great importance, which the cabinet was equipped to address.
“I don’t think it’s going to be an issue. Rest assured it’s not just me or DAP leaders but also all government component parties are well aware of the problems.
“At the end of the day, these problems can be looked into and solutions can be found as we go along.
“We have many leaders from all segments of society who continuously keep us informed of these issues,” he said at a press conference at DAP headquarters today.
Ramasamy has since become a champion for the plight of Indians, forming a race-based party dubbed Parti Bersepakat Hak Rakyat Malaysia (Urimai) last month.
The former four-term Perai assemblyperson quit DAP in August citing unhappiness with the party after he was dropped as a candidate during the six state elections.
He has since issued several statements about Indian interests being sidelined in multi-racial PKR and DAP. - Mkini
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