DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s special officer in charge of Indian affairs today defended his appointment, saying that he has a good track record in helping people. 

Ramesh Rao, whose surprise appointment was announced by Zahid on Saturday, said his new boss and former prime minister Najib Razak were both aware of his capabilities, especially during Barisan Nasional’s administration.

“I can show who I’ve helped as an NGO and the things I’ve done. Zahid and Najib know what I’ve done during Barisan Nasional’s reign,” he was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times today.

“Give me a chance to carry out my duties in today’s unity government, we are a team,” he said in addressing criticism against his appointment.

The president of Pertubuhan Minda dan Sosial Prihatin had come under fire from Penang Deputy Chief Minister II and Penang DAP deputy chairman P. Ramasamy who said the appointment would do more harm than good to the Indian community.

Ramesh however was not perturbed by Ramasamy’s criticism.

He said the senior politician should instead be offering to help him in assisting the community.

“Everyone has a right to freedom of speech. He (Ramasamy) can comment on anything he likes. But, at the end of the day, I’m only answerable to my boss,” he said.

He also said Ramasamy should do his homework by checking the Pertubuhan Minda dan Sosial Prihatin Malaysia Facebook page to see his work.

On his plans to help the Indian population, Ramesh said he has plans to transform the community.

“If you look at the Indian communities in Europe or the United States, they are known as a professional community, despite being the minority.”

“Therefore, my mission is to transform the Indian minority in Malaysia into a professional community and I believe that we can do that.”

“If they can do it there, why not in Malaysia, which is such a rich country,” he said.

He added that his priority would be education and health.

On reports that he was a bankrupt, Ramesh said it was an old issue and was settled in 2014.

“It’s already settled. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have an international passport and be allowed to leave the country.”

“Back then, I became a guarantor for someone’s car purchase, it’s already settled. It is not the time to talk nonsense,” he said. – December 26, 2022.