GEORGE TOWN: Fourth-term Datuk Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo, who was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister II, does not see himself as any less popular compared with his brothers.
His appointment made him the first Sikh Deputy Chief Minister in the country.
The eldest son of the late DAP stalwart Datuk Seri Utama Karpal Singh said he and his better known brothers, Gobind Singh Deo and Ramkarpal Singh, had equally important roles to play, albeit at a different level.
Gobind was the previous Communications and Multimedia minister while Ramkarpal is currently the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms).
"I don't think I am any less popular. They (my brothers) serve in parliament while I am here. All of us have equally important roles. It is just at different level. A state executive council member serves like a 'minister' at the state level, So, technically speaking, I have been a 'minister' for two terms. Now, this is my third term as a 'minister'. That is what it means.
"And now, I moved up to being the Deputy Chief Minister II...I am very humbled by the appointment. It is an acknowledgment of the work that I have done so for.
"Indeed, I am the first Sikh Deputy Chief Minister in the whole of Malaysia," he told the New Straits Times when approached after the swearing in ceremony at Dewan Sri Pinang here today.
Jagdeep was one of 10 state exco members who took their oath before Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.
His appointment put to rest speculations that newly-elected Prai assemblyman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo or even second-term Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan might be made the Deputy Chief Minister II.
Newly-elected Batu Maung assemblyman Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid was appointed the Deputy Chief Minister I, putting to rest speculations that first-term Bertam assemblyman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican might be the Deputy Chief Minister I.
Instead, Reezal Merican was not part of the state exco members. Rather, newly-elected Sungai Acheh assemblyman Rashidi Zinol was the sole Barisan Nasional representative in the new exco line-up which was unveiled by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Elaborating, Jagdeep said he still has a lot of work to be done and that he is happy to be taking over a new portfolio of human capital development, science and technology.
Meanwhile, asked to comment on former deputy chief minister II Dr P. Ramasamy's statement that the post should be reserved for an Indian of Tamil origin, Jagdeep said the post was created by his late father, the late Karpal.
He said the fact that he is a Sikh does not negate the fact that he could not take the seat.
"You must understand, at one point in time, MIC was led by a Sikh. At one point of time, the whole of India...the prime minister was a Sikh.
"No issue about that. So let's not go racial. Everyone has his place and we are here to serve all," he added.
Earlier, Ramasamy, who quit DAP recently, said he had nothign against his successor but felt that the post should be reserved for an Indian of Tamil origin.
He said the post was created in the aftermath of the HINDRAF Movement to recognise the Tamil community.
"This was why the post was created for Tamils which I held it for three terms from 2008 to 2023," he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Abdul, who overseas the Islamic Development, Education and National Unity portfolio, thanked the party leadership and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow on the trust placed on him and vowed to serve to the best of his ability.
He said the new exco line-up reflected the new political maturity for the prosperity and unity of the people.
"I may be new to politics but not the porfolio given to me.
I have vast experience in Islamic Development and Education being the Penang International Islamic Technology College (KITAB)chief executive officer.
"I will work together with the new exco members to foster greater unity among the people and bring economic growth to the people," he added.
For Sundarajoo, his focus will be providing more affordable housing, especially on mainland Penang.
He said his predecessor had introduced many affordable housing projects but most were focused on the island.
"With 37 years experiene as a developer, I am well versed in the housing industry. My focus is to have more affordable housing in Seberang Prai," he said.
Asked if the Housing portfolio given to him had any conflict of interest due to his previous role as a developer, Sundarajoo said he had fully retired from the corporate world seven months ago.
"I am not a director of the main board, I am not a director of the Eco World board, I am only a director of one of the subsidiaries. Also, I don't own any major share to qualify me to sit on the board of directors, I don't hold any position in Eco World or SP Setia.
"But I have since retired completely," he said, adding that joining politics and running for election was a 'national service'.