This is in response to news reports in the local Tamil dailies today which mentioned that the head of the Indian Studies Department in University Malaya, Dr S Kumaran has been replaced by a non-Indian from the same university.

I agree that the appointment of a non-Indian to the post has created uneasiness and unhappiness among the Indian community.

I have spoken to the vice-chancellor of University Malaya Ghauth Jasmon today and requested that a suitable Indian lecturer be appointed to the post.

Ghauth has agreed to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Ghauth told me that Dr Kumaran's replacement was an administrative issue but he promised to look into my request seriously.

I am happy with the assurance given by Ghauth that the matter would be resolved quickly.

I attribute the problem to the lack of cooperation among the teaching faculty of the department.

Dr S Subramaniam is the Human Resources Minister and the MIC secretary-general.