KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Ramesh Rao has broken his silence over his surprise appointment as special officer in charge of affairs related to the Indian community, asking his critics to give him a chance to prove his worth.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had on Saturday announced that Ramesh, who is president of non-governmental organisation Pertubuhan Minda dan Sosial Prihatin, had been entrusted with the role.
Critics were quick to slam the move. Among them were Penang Deputy Chief Minister II and Penang DAP deputy chairman P. Ramasamy, who labeled it as "an insult to the Indian community" and that it would do more harm than good to the community.
Ramesh, in response, said Ramasamy, being a senior politician, should instead be offering to help him with assisting the community.
"Give me a chance to carry out my duties. By right, as a veteran, he should be saying 'let's work together to address the plight of the Indian community' and offer his service.
"In today's unity government, we are a team. I have nothing against him as I see him as a professional and an elder brother, but I would love to hear him say that," he told the New Straits Times.
Ramasamy had also slammed Zahid over the appointment, saying that the latter should focus on his role as the country's number two and the portfolios he is in charge of instead of "making ad hoc appointments in areas that are not within his purview."
Ramesh, in defending his appointment, said he has a good track record in terms of helping the people.
"I can show who I've helped as an NGO and the things I've done. He (Zahid) and (Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) know what I've done during Barisan Nasional's reign.
"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 said Ramasamy can always check the Pertubuhan Minda dan Sosial Prihatin Malaysia Facebook page to see his work.
Asked how he plans to help the Indian population, Ramesh said he plans to transform them into a "professional 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, adding that priority would also be given to education and health.
Ramesh added that his task force would comprise professionals.
"I am not taking anyone from political parties to assist me because if I take them in, they will divide and rule.
"I want to help the Indian community without any divide and rule methods."
Ramesh was also asked to explain allegations that he was a bankrupt, as images of an Insolvency Department statement which showed that he was insolvent had made its rounds on social media.
He replied that it was an old issue, and settled it back 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 to buy a car, it's already settled. It is not the time to talk nonsense," he said.