He also wants the ministry to be people-friendly and to empower workers to know their rights better.

Kula plans to open mobile clinics for the Labour Office and Social Security Organisation (Socso) nationwide, especially at low-income residential areas.

“I have promised my party leaders not to indulge in corruption,” said Kula, who is with DAP. “It is a ministry close to my heart and a ministry I like. I will have a potential clientele of 10 million people.

“The ministry has many tentacles, from Kangar to Sandakan. It has Labour Office and Socso branches nationwide. I plan to utilise them further,” he told FMT.

Kulasegaran, 60, who read law at Lincoln’s Inn, made headlines as the lawyer for kindergarten teacher M Indira Gandhi in her nine-year battle against the unilateral conversion of her three children to Islam.

He said he was particularly keen to help the B40 group (the bottom 40% of households with a monthly income of RM3,900 and below).

“I plan to speed up court cases and do an outreach programme for the people, in particular, with offices kept open after office hours.”

He believed the Labour Office and Socso officers should go down to the ground instead of people taking leave to visit their offices.

Kulasegaran said his officers would be asked to go on roadshows and teach people their rights. He wants housewives to be better aware of Sosco benefits.

“I want the officers to be hands-on and people-friendly. Teach and inform people about the services available in the ministry, what Socso is and what the insurance scheme is all about.”

He said he would not forget those who elected him and will remain steadfast in delivering their promises. “I want to do all this in my first 100 days,” he said.