Datuk Seri M. Saravanan. - Filepic/The Star
IPOH: There has been no discussion between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and MIC to appoint someone from the party as a Cabinet minister or deputy minister, says Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.
The MIC deputy president said talks of him being one of those who could be appointed as part of a Cabinet reshuffle were just hearsay.
"That is the PM's prerogative. No one can push him (to make a decision)," he said in a press conference after opening the 77th Perak MIC Convention at the Ipoh Red Crescent Hall on Saturday (Oct 28).
"We support the unity government for political stability and have told the PM that we do so unconditionally," he added.
An online news portal had reported that Saravanan, also Tapah MP, was among the latest names to have cropped up in current talks about an impending Cabinet reshuffle.
The portal reported that Saravanan's inclusion was purely political, as it could shore up support from the Indian community after an apparent swing in Indian votes to the opposition in the six state elections in August.
On Pahang MIC passing a motion for him and party president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran to retain their posts uncontested, Saravanan said he was thankful for it.
"More importantly, the party is still strong.
"All members support the president and want him to continue leading the party," he said.
Pahang MIC had, during its state convention in Bentong on Oct 14, passed a
motion to keep the president and deputy president’s posts uncontested at the upcoming party election next year.
Pahang MIC chairman V. Arumugam said the combination of MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran and his deputy, Saravanan, was authoritative in leading the party, and the grassroots wanted it to be retained for the party's unity.
Meanwhile, when met on the sidelines, Perak MIC chairman Datuk V. Elango said they also passed a motion to retain both Vigneswaran and Saravanan as the party president and deputy uncontested.
He said it was among six motions that were passed during the convention.
The other motions included urging the Prime Minister to appoint a Cabinet minister and deputy minister from MIC for the Federal Government to implement the Malaysian Indian Blueprint that was introduced by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in 2017, and for Anwar to request the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to pardon Najib.
