Kuala Lumpur – Commenting on speculations that he would be appointed as the Dewan Negara President, MIC Deputy President Datuk Seri S.K.Devamany has said he would leave the matter to the decision of party President Dr Subramaniam and Prime Minister Najib.
The tenure of current Dewan Negara President expires in July this year. The Barisan Nasional component parties have been sharing the coveted post on a rotation basis and this time it is expected to be MIC’s turn to fill the post.
The last time MIC held this position was in 1992. Tan Sri G.Vadiveloo representing MIC, served as the Dewan Negara President from 1992 to 1995.
There are also speculations that MIC would be given the second ministerial position which has not been filled after the removal of former MIC President G.Palanivel as the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources.
With these speculations arising Devamany is said to be in a dilemma whether to accept the post of Dewan Negara Speaker if given or to wait for Najib to give back the second ministerial position to MIC.
Whichever position he is hoping for, he has to be appointed as a Senator first. Currently, all the five Senate positions from MIC are scheduled to expire only next year. Therefore, Najib will have to allocate an additional Senate position to MIC to enable Devamany to be appointed either as a Minister or Dewan Negara Speaker.
Senate President or 2nd Minister for MIC?
MIC sources have also pointed out that the party is expected get an additional Senate if BN leadership keeps its promise made during GE-13 in 2013. During GE- 13, MIC gave up the Behrang State seat in Perak in favour of UMNO and BN promised a Senate position in lieu of that state seat. However, that promise still remains an announcement.
MIC sources said that the party is hoping to get that Senate which was promised in 2013, which would enable Devamany to be appointed as the Senator. Since he is currently the Deputy President of the party he would be the front runner to be considered if the Senate is allocated to MIC.
Tamil daily “Makkal Osai “ reported today that Devamany will leave it to party President Dr Subramaniam and Prime Minister Najib as to which position he should be considered.
In the coming weeks Prime Minister Najib will have to make three important decisions which will decide the fate of Devamany and his future political path. These three decisions will also have an impact on MIC in terms of its support and popularity within the Indian community. The decisions are:
- Additional Senate position to MIC as promised in 2013 during GE-13.
- Whether to allocate the Dewan Negara President’s position to MIC
- Whether to give the 2nd Ministerial position to MIC
-R.Mutharasan
