MIC deputy president G Palanivel is expected to be appointed senator and a deputy minister in return for giving up his anticipated candidacy in the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election.

Also in line for senatorships are former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor, well-known real estate firm Rahim and Co executive chairperson Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman and Pagoh Wanita Umno chief Noriah Mahat.

They will take their oaths at the Dewan Negara before Senate president Abu Zahar Ujang on Monday, The Star Online reported today.

NONE Palanivel (left) , the Hulu Selangor BN chairperson, had been named early  by MIC to contest in Hulu Selangor.

However, two days before nominations were filed, BN settled on compromise candidate P Kamalanathan, the MIC information head, who went on to win the contest against PKR’s Zaid Ibrahim.

“Palanivel is an accomplished leader... he was the deputy minister in the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and was a four-term parliamentarian," the source told Malaysiakini .

“It is only fair that this time around he is given a full ministerial position.”

Palanivel could not be immediately reached for confirmation.

‘More substantial role’

When contacted for comments, MIC state information chief L Sivasubramaniam insisted that Palanivel should be given a more substantial role, in line with his seniority in the party.

s subramaniam “Vice-president Dr S Subramaniam (right) , who is lower in party ranking, is the human resources minister,” said Sivasubramaniam.

“The government needs to retain its win in Hulu Selangor and there is a serious need for a better representation for the Indian community.

“We make up the third-largest community in the country and there is only one minister to represent us... Palanivel should be made a minister so that the community’s problems can be solved sooner and more effectively.”

He pointed out the need to improve the deplorable living conditions of Indian estate workers.

“With one more minister, (MIC) could just focus on the poor and work to uplift Indians, many of whom live below the poverty line,” he said.