VIDEO | 2.22 min

Malaysian Hindraf Association (MHA) chairperson P Waythamoorthy, sworn in as a senator in Dewan Negera this morning, has described his appointment as a sign of honour for the struggle of the Indian Malaysian poor and the “voiceless”.

NONE "I pledge to do my best. I think this is an honour for the struggle of the Indian poor in Malaysia," he told reporters at the Dewan Negara.

Waythamoorthy, who was appointed a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said the community has come a long way and has struggled for a long time.

"This is a good opportunity for the voice of the voiceless to be heard."

However, Waythamoorty merely smiled when later asked about the sedition case involving his brother, Hindu Rights Action Force founder P Uthayakumar, which was going on at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court at the same time as the former’s swearing-in.

NONE Alongside Waythamoorthy, former Maybank chief executive officer Abdul Wahid Omar ( left ), who was appointed minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), was also sworn into the senate today.

They took their oath in front of Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar Ujang.

The duo will also be sworn in as minister and deputy minister in the PM’s Department respectively, in front of the Yang Di Pertuan Agong at 4.30pm at Istana Negara.

Marginalisation of minority communities

Meanwhile, in a statement today, Waythamoorthy said he was appointed by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to head a special unit under the PM’s Department to “address and resolve the unique, peculiar and complicated issues of the Indian community”.

He said prior to this, many have failed to comprehend the problems faced by marginalised and poor Indians in the country, and its true causes.

NONE Referring to the five-year blueprint drafted by Hindraf, the senator said: “This will be the dawn of a new era for the human rights cause in the country in general, and for the resolution of the longstanding Indian problems in a permanent manner, in specific”.

“As I assume my position in government, I can foresee that I will face many challenges and hurdles to execute my new ministerial responsibilities.

“Hindraf and I will overcome all these challenges and deliver the value we promise because of our commitment to the cause of human rights, to the cause of social justice and to the cause of humanity.”

Waythamoorthy assured all, even “foes of Hindraf” that he will remain committed to resolve marginalisation of minority communities, racism and human rights issues and calls on the cooperation of all Malaysians to do so.

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