KIMMA has been rewarded after 35 years.<\/p>\n
\nKUALA LUMPUR, May 17 \u2014 Datuk Syed Ibrahim Kader, president of the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma), a Barisan Nasional (BN) ally, has been appointed a senator in the Dewan Negara.<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nThe Malaysian Insider <\/em>understands that Syed Ibrahim, 57, received his appointment letter a week ago and will be sworn in as a senator soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was told Syed Ibrahim (picture) <\/strong>has received his appointment letter last Thursday and his swearing in will be informed later,\u201d said a source.<\/p>\n
The source added that Syed Ibrahim had accepted the appointment with \u201can open heart\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also understand that he does not want this to be revealed,\u201d said the source, when contacted.<\/p>\n
When contacted by\u00a0The Malaysian Insider <\/em>yesterday, Syed Ibrahim refused to field questions and urged the media to wait for his swearing-in ceremony.<\/p>\n
According to the source, Syed Ibrahim will only hold a press conference upon accepting the appointment.<\/p>\n
This is the first time a Kimma representative has been appointed a senator since its inception in 1976.<\/p>\n
Late last year, Syed Ibrahim appealed to the government to elect a senator from among Kimma\u2019s party members to represent the Indian Muslims in the country.<\/p>\n
The leader said this was because the party had no avenue to voice its views, particularly about the Indian Muslims, to the government.<\/p>\n
Syed Ibrahim also said Kimma will appeal to the government to allow an Indian Muslim on state executive councils and local councils to ensure the people\u2019s grouses are heard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n