Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam today brushed aside calls by several Indian-based NGOs for him to quit his cabinet position over his alleged failure to defend the community's interest.

NONE The MIC vice-president said he will step down only if Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak asks him to do so.

"If the prime minister says that my resignation can solve the problem, I will (step down)," he said today.

He was responding to criticisms levelled at him for being unable to defend the position of Tamil language and literature studies in the SPM examination.

Subramaniam urged all parties to be patient as the government was trying to find an amicable solution for the SPM issue.

"We are in the midst discussing and resolving the issue," he said.

He added that MIC has been holding talks with the government for the past four months to push for the recognition of Tamil language and literature at the SPM level.

Subramaniam is the sole Indian representative in the cabinet.

Why use 'keling'?

In another development, the minister ticked off Utusan Malaysia for publishing an article which was demeaning to the Indians.

NONE He questioned the Umno-owned daily’s need to include the derogatory word ‘keling’.

“Why use the term when it is sensitive to the community? When a term is sensitive to a community, people should be sensitive to the feelings of the community and not use the term,” he said.

Subramaniam was asked to comment on the police report filed by MIC Youth’s racial integration bureau against the daily this morning.