
Taking pride: Sugana poring over Kamaladevi’s achievement of 13As and 2Bs in the recent SPM in Johor Baru. (The Star) » Read more: Hardworking Kamaladevi scores in SPM

Taking pride: Sugana poring over Kamaladevi’s achievement of 13As and 2Bs in the recent SPM in Johor Baru. (The Star) » Read more: Hardworking Kamaladevi scores in SPM
The previous state government dished out the positions to politicians. The current government should not repeat the same mistake. They must set up a committee to short list and select suitable candidates to be in the board. There should be competent people well versed in religion and community issues. Politicians who lead will be seen as making skewed decisions or under influence of their political parties. I don’t think the assemblymen should be in the board.
» Read more: Penang Hindu Endowments Board should be apolitical
Q: The Indian community has said it wants two full ministerships. Have you considered that?
Yes, I’ve considered it but it is not possible at the moment. I feel the human resources (ministry) is an important portfolio for them.And I think that it will give (the minister) a chance to address unemployment issues and provide training opportunities to people in the rubber and oil palm estates where many Indians reside. A lot of issues have risen from these areas and new villages too. » Read more: No to 2 full MIC ministers
Well, PM pulled off some surprises – Rafidah, JJ, Azmi Khalid…all gone. Instead, we get Shahrir (MP Johor Bahru), Zaid Ibrahim (not selected as election candidate), and Amirsham (just retired as Maybank CEO). As for the Indian representatives, Dr S.Subramaniam is promoted to Human Resource Minister, while Devamany takes over Kayveas as Deputy Minister in PM’s Department. Another MIC man, Saravanan got Deputy Federal Territory Minister post. Most surprisingly, a Gerakan Dewan Negara Senator – A. Kohilan Pillay [full name: A. Kohilan Pillay a/l G. Appu], who is in his early 40s, (Gerakan central commitee member) have been made Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister. This is how he looks like: » Read more: Indians in Cabinet 2008
Now I’m confused. The new government has announced 10,000 sq ft land and RM40,000 from the developer. Great news, except that this was also announced last year by Khir Toyo! Does this mean the community is seeing double? Or is a case of promises made real? Khir Toyo promised, but Khalid approved it. No matter how it is looked at, the land and money is still coming from one source – the developer. Let’s see what the state government office, Khir Toyo, Samy Vellu, and Kamal Ganapathy said last year: » Read more: Padang Jawa Temple to be rebuilt (again?)