Malaysia punishes ethnic Indian minister

The minister was suspended for 3 months for a rare breach of discipline after he criticised a govt decision that affected his Indian community.

A Malaysian cabinet minister was suspended for three months on Wednesday as punishment for a rare breach of discipline after he criticised a government decision that affected his minority Indian community.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, leader of the United Malays National Organisation which heads the ruling coalition, said the move against deputy minister for natural resources and environment S Sothinathan was unprecedented.

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"Yes we made a decision to suspend him with immediate effect for what he did in parliament," Abdullah told a press conference.

"He's a member of the front bench, he should not have taken a stand like he did, criticising his own government. It is certainly a breach of party discipline," he said.

Sothinathan criticised a decision by the state-run Malaysian Medical Council to withdaw recognition for medical degrees from the Ukraine-based Crimea State Medical University (CSMU) which is popular with ethnic Indian Malaysians.