Kuala Lumpur: Amid rumours that Penang Deputy Chief Minister Jagdeep Singh may be appointed as the Chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board, Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (pic) has criticised such a move.
“Since independence, we always had a Tamil cabinet minister in the federal government, but now have given up ministerial positions that were traditionally ours under the current government’s leadership. After giving up one after another, we should not give away the Penang Hindu Religious Affairs Department too,” Saravanan said in a statement issued today. (Wednesday, April 2).
“Let’s not give up the few remaining rights we have, using politics and leadership as excuses,” said Saravanan, who is Deputy President of MIC and Tapah MP, appealing to both RSN Rayer and Senator Dr. Lingeshwaran.
“Over the years, our political positions and other privileges have disappeared. In this country the Indians are predominantly Tamils and most problems affect Tamils. That’s why it’s very important to have a Tamil minister to solve the problems of Indians,” he stated in his statement.
“Only someone who knows the language of my community can understand my community’s pain. Only a Tamil who knows my language and holds a ministerial position can sympathetically understand and solve the problems of the Tamil majority. But in today’s political climate, without leadership to speak for Tamils and solve the Tamil issues, we are facing various problems. We see and experience this, day by day. In this situation, all we are left with is our self-respect and the Hindu Religious Affairs Department position! I request not to give this up, citing political reasons,” Saravanan said.
In Penang, most of the Hindu temples are places of worship for the Tamil community. Therefore, Saravanan requested the DAP party leadership not to give up the position of Chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board as well to a non-Tamil.
“At the very least, DAP should ensure that this remains under Tamil leadership. Otherwise, the divide between us will increase further. So think carefully and understand what is right for our community and act accordingly,” Saravanan urged.
