MIC Deserves 2nd Ministers Post

Now with the Hulu Selangor by election tucked in its pocket albeit a lower margin than the expected 6000 majority, the MIC can be proud of its achievements in drawing back the indian communities support that it lost in the 12th General Election in March 2008. With the support of IPF and the newly minted Makkal Sakthi things can only get better.

The last three by elections ie Bukit Selambau, Bagan Pinang and Hulu Selangor indicate that the indian community is still in need of the basic amenities ie shelter, food, bc, ic, citizenship issues , welfare and so forth. It is pathetic that some estates which is close to major towns like sg petani, port dickson and kuala lumpur are still having indians without this basic needs and if the problem is taken in totality nationwide it is a significant problem that need to be addressed.

Having spend considerable time in all this constituencies, I must share that by- election goodies are adhoc measures and a complete blue print need to be drawn to see the long term resolution to this issues. More need to be done on a continous basis to win the hearts of the indians in dilapidated estates and slumps.

PM Najib Tun Razak just completed his one year as premier and wants to go the 13th polls to get the full mandate to effectively run the country. According to the the Edge weekly this could come as early as QI or Q2 of 2011. Given the voting trends in the 12th general election and the 3 by elections it is clear that the indians are surely returning back to BN but the BN needs and overwheling support from MIC and the indian community to compensate for the expected loss from the erosion of votes from chinese community and others.

What the 2nd Ministers post can do for BN and MIC?

Tradionationally MIC had two ministers post in Transport Minister Tan Sri Manickavasagam and Law minister Datuk Athi Nahapan. The demise of Datuk Athi Nahapan, the situation changed and MIC had one ministers post ever since Dato Seri S. Samy Vellu helmed the presidency of MIC. It is acknowledged that the current Human Resources Minister, Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam has been discharging his ministerial job well and enjoys cordial relationship with PM, however given the multi-facet issues surrounding the community, he has more than he can chew.

Now that the cabinet reshuffle is imminent with the completion of the MCA election, PM Dato Seri Najib has an opportunity to reward the indian community with another ministerial appointment (Note:Dato G. Palanivel is to be sworn in as senator on monday). Both Datuk Dr Subra and Dato G Palanivel ( if appointed minister) can raise the community's concern and address them concretely and on a systematic basis to resolve many of the long outstanding issues.

The second ministerial appointment can also act as a political strategy to win over the hard core indians who are still not happy with government and this in return will further strengthen the Indians support for the Najib's administration. Will this be in the mind of the PM as he draws the best team to be in team heading into the 13th General Election ?