MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel has jumped the gun over the appointment of Perak state assembly Speaker.
Saying that he had not made any statements on the Speaker post to date, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (pic) expressed his surprise over the Cameron Highland member of parliament's outburst.
"I did not make any statements on the Speaker post as the time is not right to announce it yet.
"I only announced the adviser and special officer posts as I felt there was a need to have Indian representation in the state," he said.
Speaking to reporters here today after attending the state Public Works Department's excellence services award presentation, Zambry said the Speaker post would be announced when the assembly sits.
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"I do not know if it is a tactical statement by him to divert attention in view of the coming party elections," said Zambry of Palanivel's statement.
"Whatever internal politics he may face, he should not have dragged me or the state into it," added Zambry.
Describing it as an irresponsible move, Zambry advised Palanivel to check on the truth of whatever he heard before commenting.
"It is normal for a leader to get all sorts of information, but one must sieve through it rather than reacting to it first," he said, adding that Palanivel's action had made people question his credibility as a leader.
Palanivel was reported to have threatened to reject all government posts in Perak if the state government refused to award the Speaker post to one of its party leaders.
While the party would remain BN-friendly, Palanivel said the party would also reject its appointments to the posts of special officer and adviser to the mentri besar.
His statement had received brickbats from Perak Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairman Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib, who said it was unbecoming of Palanivel, as president of a BN component party, to issue such a threat.
Mohd Khusairi had said Palanivel's threatening statement does not augur well with his status as the MIC president.
