“I will have to sit down and discuss with the prime minister. And talk to him,” he said when asked about his portfolio as the deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
He was sworn as a Senator in front of Dewan Negara Speaker S A Vigneswaran, who advised Devamany to protect the Federal Constitution and to follow the code of ethics of the Upper House.
Najib, in a Cabinet reshuffle today, announced the appointment of Devamany as senator and a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Devamany said his appointment showed MIC is still a force to be reckoned with in the Indian community as it used to be before.
“In the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections, we were coherent and MIC has managed to put its problems behind.”
He said there is a trend of the Indian community backing Barisan Nasional.
“This deputy minister post will give us further strength to reach out to the Indian community.”
The 59-year-old promised to work hard and be the voice of the people.
Devamany was a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department from 2004 till 2008.
He has been the Perak State Speaker since 2013. He said he will resign as Speaker as soon as possible to concentrate on his new position.
As the new deputy minister, he said he would be looking to empower the lower-income group as they have remained vulnerable
“I hope to do my best to empower them,” he said.
Devamany, who is also MIC deputy president, said he would also be looking into the socio-economic plight of the Indian community.
“There are so many new agencies since my time as the deputy minister. I hope to work with them.”
MIC President Dr S Subramaniam, who was present at the swearing-in ceremony, said Devamany’s position will further strengthen MIC.
“The recent twin by-elections showed there is a trend of Indians supporting BN.”