Ipoh, Apr. 3 : A. Sivanesan has the unenviable task of being the sole Indian member of the Perak state executive council, and therefore, he carries the burden of looking after the interests of the community at a time when there is a perception of unhappiness over "under-representation" of Indians.

The uneasiness, especially among Indians, comes in the wake of the fact that DAP, PKR and Pas leaders openly used the term "makkal sakthi" (people's power in Tamil) to woo voters in the recent general election.

But the chairman of the state Health, Environment and Human Resources committee is bent on proving himself equal to the task.

He is also willing to work with the MIC "which I do not regard as the enemy".

"We have to work together for the benefit of the community," the New Starit Times quoted the 52-year-old lawyer, as saying.

Sivanesan said the community had expressed disappointment with the MIC at the ballot box.

"Now it is time for us (the state government) to meet their high expectations."

He said the mindset of the Indian community changed after the Nov 25 Hindraf rally in Kuala Lumpur when they realised that they could not depend on the MIC alone.

A survey carried out by the Merdeka Centre revealed that Indian support for the Barisan Nasional was 83 per cent before the rally, dropping to 30 per cent after the gathering.

On jobs for Indians, he said there was a need for the government to look into the matter.

On Tamil schools, he said he would visit them to get first-hand information on the condition of the buildings and facilities.

Sivanesan would also like to see investments in the state so as to create more job opportunities besides stopping the migration of people to the Klang Valley. (ANI)