PETALING JAYA: Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy today urged the three deputy ministers from the Indian Tamil community in Anwar Ibrahim’s reshuffled Cabinet to step down in protest against what he said was inadequate representation.
Ramasamy said without representation in the Cabinet, it would be impossible for Indian Tamils to defend the community’s schools, language, temples and advancement of socio-economic interests.
He also questioned the purpose of having two additional deputy ministers for the Indian community “when Anwar had no interest in appointing Indian Tamils to ministerial posts”.
“Given the non-appointment of Indian Tamils to the Cabinet, I suggest the three Indian deputy ministers resign from their respective appointments as a sign of protest.
“Such an unselfish act would be appreciated by the large majority of the Indian community. Perhaps, M Kula Segaran can pave the way for others!” Ramasamy said in a statement.
Kula, a former human resources minister, replaced Ramkarpal Singh as deputy law and institutional reform minister in Anwar’s Cabinet reshuffle yesterday.
DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said Ramkarpal had voluntarily stepped down after discovering that his brother, Gobind Singh Deo, would be appointed the digital minister.
Loke said Ramkarpal believed it was not suitable for him and Gobind to serve as minister and deputy minister at the same time.
Meanwhile, PKR’s R Ramanan was appointed deputy minister of entrepreneur and cooperatives development, replacing K Saraswathy.
Saraswathy, a senator from PKR, was made deputy national unity minister.
DAP’s V Sivakumar, who held the human resources portfolio, was the only minister to be dropped from the administration in the Cabinet reshuffle. - FMT
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