A MIC leader has called on the prime minister to explain the rationale behind appointing Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong to oversee the Hindu Endowment Board (HEB) when there are Indian in the BN leadership for the job.
"There are two ministers and three deputy ministers of Indian origin in the government but none seems to be qualified to hold an Indian portfolio.
"Prime Minister Najib Razak is duty bound to provide his rationale for appointing a Chinese to oversea an Indian portfolio," said former MIC Youth chief T Mohan in a statement today.
He also called on MIC ministers G Palanivel and S Subramaniam to seek a clarification from the premier.
Mohan said Mah's appointment is a "slap in the face" for the Indian community, which is predominantly Hindu.
"Many are puzzled as to how Mah is going to handle the issues related to the HEB and the prime minister’s appointment gives a wrong message to the Indians who had returned back to BN in the last general elections.
"Does this mean that there is no Indian MP or senator who is qualified to handle the affairs of the HEB, which basically deals with the Indian community?" he said.
The HEB deals with the disbursement of funds for the Hindu community as well as dealing with land and burial ground matters.
He lamented the move would damage the party's standing.
"It is also sad that MIC which was a strong voice, has now been reduced in representation in the senate, local governments as well as been overlooked in appointments for government-linked companies.
"MIC would be reduced to a small party if no concrete steps were taken to get representation which has been eroded in the current trend," he said.
This follows Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia's statement today suggesting that the move proved MIC did not have the ability to handle the Indian community's affairs.
Mah's appointment has likewise come under criticism from DAP's Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, who heads the Penang HEB.
However, Gerakan hit back at DAP by questioning its multiracial credentials and Mah has vowed to assist the Hindu community as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
"There are two ministers and three deputy ministers of Indian origin in the government but none seems to be qualified to hold an Indian portfolio.
"Prime Minister Najib Razak is duty bound to provide his rationale for appointing a Chinese to oversea an Indian portfolio," said former MIC Youth chief T Mohan in a statement today.
He also called on MIC ministers G Palanivel and S Subramaniam to seek a clarification from the premier.
Mohan said Mah's appointment is a "slap in the face" for the Indian community, which is predominantly Hindu.
"Many are puzzled as to how Mah is going to handle the issues related to the HEB and the prime minister’s appointment gives a wrong message to the Indians who had returned back to BN in the last general elections.
"Does this mean that there is no Indian MP or senator who is qualified to handle the affairs of the HEB, which basically deals with the Indian community?" he said.
The HEB deals with the disbursement of funds for the Hindu community as well as dealing with land and burial ground matters.
He lamented the move would damage the party's standing.
"It is also sad that MIC which was a strong voice, has now been reduced in representation in the senate, local governments as well as been overlooked in appointments for government-linked companies.
"MIC would be reduced to a small party if no concrete steps were taken to get representation which has been eroded in the current trend," he said.
This follows Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia's statement today suggesting that the move proved MIC did not have the ability to handle the Indian community's affairs.
Mah's appointment has likewise come under criticism from DAP's Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, who heads the Penang HEB.
However, Gerakan hit back at DAP by questioning its multiracial credentials and Mah has vowed to assist the Hindu community as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
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