How HR Minister Saravanan juggles with duty and social life in Washington

IF Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun is the “modelling minister”, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan is certainly her male equivalent. 

While the Facebook posting of him posing in front of the White House in a red jacket had been applauded by majority of his fan base, some cheeky netizens had also relished subtly poking fun at him. 

By the way, the red jacket is somehow a contrast from his ‘yellow man’ image (yellow jacket, shoes and hand luggage) on the day of his departure to Washington DC on May 7 alongside the entourage of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to the ASEAN-US Special Summit from May 12-13. 

In fact, FocusM yesterday (May 9) highlighted how the Tapah MP-slash-fashionista had rekindled fond memories of the yesteryears specifically of the “DiGi Yellow Man” mascot as at first glance his ‘catwalking’ stroll along the hallway of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s (KLIA) gave the impression that he was going on vacation. 

Anyway, the MIC deputy president deserved credit for spending an evening yesterday (May 9) with members of the Washington Tamil Sangam (presumably some are Malaysians). According to Saravanan in his FB posting, there are almost 6,000 Tamils in Washington DC. 

However, challenges abound for Saravanan given the fact that he is slated to meet US officials on labour issues during his Washington trip. 

In this regard, migrant worker and labour rights activist and researcher Andy Hall shared his two cents worth with FocusM: 

“If the minister is going to the US with a workable and credible plan for addressing the systematic corruption, the lack of rule of law, the impunity and the poor governance that is the root of Malaysia’s forced labour woes, he may get some attention and positive engagement.  

“If he’s going to talk about a forced labour action plan that remains only on paper – and as if that can make any difference without addressing the root causes of forced labour as highlighted earlier – I don’t think his visit will be very productive.” – May 10, 2022 

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