Hindraf’s Waythamoorthy joins Najib’s cabinet line-up
(Bernama) – Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairman P. Waythamoorthy has been appointed to join the new Cabinet of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The surprise appointment of the 47-year-old lawyer is expected to bring a new wave of hope to improve the livelihood of the Indian community, following a memorandum with the Barisan Nasional (BN).
On April 18, Hindraf and BN signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with six key points, aimed at bringing poor Indians into the mainstream of the country’s development.
In return, the movement – which was influential in swinging Indian votes to the opposition in 2008 – said it would tell the Indian community to vote for BN in the 13th General Election.
The Kelantan-born Waythamoorthy left Malaysia three days after the historic Hindraf rally of Nov 25, 2007, which resulted in the detention of several activists under the Internal Security Act.
The arrests took place on Dec 13, the same year.
Meanwhile, Waythamoorthy when contacted by Bernama expressed surprise by the appointment, claiming that he was not aware of the appointment until a friend called him.
“I am now in India and I only came to know about the appointment through my friend who called me in Chennai, India. Once I return from India, I will call a press conference,” he said, refusing to comment on his appointment.
He is expected to return on Saturday.
