Kula’s omissions are glaring in the creation of Penang’s DCM2 post

Kula’s omissions are glaring in the creation of Penang’s DCM2 post

By Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy

DAP’S MP for Ipoh Barat M. Kulasegaran (main pic, second from left) might not be telling the actual truth about what transpired in the first party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting held in the aftermath of the 2008 general election.

When I brought up the creation of an additional deputy chief minister post for Indian Tamils, Kulasegaran was sitting quietly without giving any sensible input during the ensuing debate.

Some CEC members agreed with the need for an additional post while others disagreed.

The creation of the post was not decided at the CEC meeting. I think it was taken up administratively with the leadership before the Deputy Chief Minister II (DCM2) post was created.

The post was eventually offered to me.

DAP agreed to establish the post in remembrance of the contribution of the Indian Tamils in the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) movement.

It was through their participation in this struggle that Indian Tamils switched their loyalty from Barisan Nasional (BN) to the then-Pakatan Rakyat (PR) which was inclusive of the DAP.

Yes, the post was created for an Indian but not any Indian but for Indian Tamils who constitute the majority of the Indian population.

Kulasegaran does not know this fact, but he is pretending to do so. He cannot dishonestly and irresponsibly sweep under the carpet by engaging in moralising about the principles of the DAP, its multi-racial holier-than-thou approach to politics.

Kula not truthful

Maybe Kulasegaran being a long-standing member of the DAP should explain to the public why the party’s lofty principles do not apply when it comes to the appointment of Chinese to the Penang chief minister post.

Why is the post of Deputy Chief Minister I (DCM1) reserved for a Malay and why cannot an Indian Tamil be appointed for this post?

What do these ethnic reservations for these top posts tell us about the DAP’s grand multi-racial strategy? Does this ethnic reservation contradict the unthinking multi-racialism of Kulasegaran’s extreme sycophancy?

Yes, Kulasegaran is partially right in saying that the DCM2 was meant for Indian but this is not the whole story. Again, how does this admission fit into his grand multi-racial agenda?

Both of us know but Kulasegaran is not willing to admit it that the DCM2 was created for an Indian Tamil and not those who use their Indianess to pursue positions and power but do little or nothing to assist the Indian Tamils in their exploitation and misery.

It is not that positions should not be given to Indians in general but preference must be given to those from the Indian Tamil community, particularly those with a good track record of fighting for the community.

Certainly not any Indian Tamil. However, there are Indians who might be of Tamil origin but, unfortunately have done nothing or little for the community but ingratiated themselves in political parties by virtue of their servility or obsequiousness.

Is Kulasegaran prepared to make a statement in line with his multi-racial approach that the Penang chief minister’s post should cater for all Malaysians, not just one single ethnic community? – Aug 26, 2023



Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the former DAP state assemblyman for Perai. He is also the former deputy chief minister II of Penang.