KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16: Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has been appointed Minister of Human Resources in the latest Cabinet reshuffle announced today, marking his first full ministerial post.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the appointment in Putrajaya as part of the reshuffle aimed at ensuring the Cabinet functions as a more effective and cohesive team.
Ramanan, 44, previously served as Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development for two years. He is also the Sungai Buloh Member of Parliament.
He drew attention after scoring a surprise victory in the 15th General Election, defeating former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin in a seven-cornered contest with a majority of 2,693 votes.
Born on Feb 11, 1981, Ramanan is the grandson of the ‘Grand Dame of Malaysian Indian politics’, Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan, the first woman to hold public office in pre-independence Malaya after being elected to the then Bangsar Municipal Council in 1952.
In 2023, he chaired the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) Special Committee.
Ramanan holds a degree in engineering technology (mechanical) from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia and began his political involvement with MIC in the mid-2000s.
During his time in MIC, he held several positions, including Bukit Bintang division chief, Discipline Committee deputy chairman, Strategic Planning Bureau deputy chief and Central Working Committee member for two terms, before being appointed treasurer-general in 2013.
He stepped down as MIC treasurer-general and resigned from the party in 2014. Following the ‘Sheraton Move’ in 2020, he joined PKR and went on to serve as a member of the Central Leadership Council, deputy strategic director, deputy information chief I and is currently the party’s vice president.
Ramanan has also served as special officer to former Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor and has led several community organisations, including the Malaysian Indian Students Association (MISA) and the Education, Welfare and Research Foundation (EWRF).
This is the second Cabinet reshuffle under Anwar’s administration, following the first reshuffle on Dec 12, 2024. The Unity Government was formed in December 2022.
— BERNAMA