Kuala Lumpur, Feb 17 – MIC sources revealed today that Anbumani Balan (pic), a noted Journalist and MIC Branch Chairman from MIC Setiawangsa division (Wilayah Persekutuan) has been appointed as the new Political Secretary for embattled MIC President Dato Seri G.Palanivel, replacing Datuk P.Palaniappan.
MIC sources said that when Datuk Sothinathan went to the Prime Minister’s office yesterday on the instructions of Palanivel there were two other MIC leaders who followed him. One was Anbumani Balan and the other was K.Ramalingam, the chairman of MIC Batu Division (Wilayah Persekutuan).
It is believed that Palanivel has forwarded Anbumani Balan’s appointment letter to the Prime Minister but the Prime Minister is yet to confirm the appointment. Political Secretaries to Cabinet Ministers are approved by the Prime Minister and also take oath of secrecy in the presence of the Prime Minister.
Anbumani Balan is also said to be running the English online news portal ‘Malaysian Times’.
Meanwhile, MIC sources also said that Palaniappan, the former Political Secretary of Palanivel is likely to be given a job at the YSS (Yayasan Strategic Social) the social rehabilitation arm of MIC.
Another source pointed out that Palaniappan has been requesting Palanivel to relieve him of his duties as Political Secreary because of the demanding job since he has to be in Cameron Highlands frequently. Cameron Highlands is the parliamentary constituency of Palanivel.
