Sunday April 12, 2009
MIC considers pulling out of Cabinet in protest
By A. LETCHUMANAN
KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC is studying a proposal for the party to withdraw its one minister and two deputy ministers from the Government as a protest over the lack of importance accorded to the Indian community, said a senior party official.
The official, who refused to be named, said the proposal was drawn up at a meeting of top party officials on Friday.
“The proposal will be tabled in the party’s central working committee meeting on Thursday where it is expected to be endorsed,” he said.
MIC’s main representative in the new Cabinet is Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam who was reappointed as the Human Resources Minister. The party also has two deputy ministers – Datuk M. Saravanan (Federal Territories Ministry) and Datuk S.K. Devamany (Prime Minister’s Department).
“The MIC as the third largest component member in the Barisan Nasional had not been given due respect or accorded the deserving treatment by the new government.
“However, even if we do withdraw our representatives, MIC will remain in Barisan but would concentrate on uniting the Indian community,” added the official.
He said party members were unhappy that their request for a senior ministerial portfolio had not been accepted despite repeated appeals.
“MIC had requested for the Works Ministry portfolio – a post held by party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu until he lost the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in the last general election,” he said, adding that former MIC president, the late Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam had held the Transport Ministry portfolio.
He said the Human Resources Minister is considered a junior post in Cabinet, adding that the MIC was disappointed that other component parties were given more and better positions.
When contacted, Subramaniam, who is MIC secretary-general, said he had not heard of such a move.
“Decisions on any matter concerning the party have always been discussed with the party president in the Central Working Committee.
“If there are differences within Barisan, it will be discussed behind closed doors and resolved amicably.”
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