Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir has lambasted MIC president G Palanivel over the accusation that he was the obstacle in the appointment of a senator from MIC in the state.

"It seems as though, in MIC's previous general meeting, I was the one blamed for being an obstacle over their inability to appoint a senator.

"That is not the case," he told a press conference yesterday.

Zambry also reasoned that it was not his prerogative to name an MIC candidate for the senate post, as that responsibility solely lied with the party president.

"The selection for the senator's post was already agreed upon and Palanivel was already informed about it more than six months ago. It is his prerogative to appoint a senator, not mine.

"There also shouldn't be a question whether a senator will be appointed or not because Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has already promised to give MIC one more senate seat," he added.

Meanwhile, Palanivel, who is also the minister for natural resources and environment, said that it is completely wrong for Zambry to accuse him of delaying the process.

According to a report in the Malaysian Times, the minister said that Najib would speak with the Perak MB after the issue was raised during a recent cabinet meeting.

"So how can he (Zambry) say that he is waiting for my approval for the past six months?" he asked.

Palanivel also said he raised the matter with Zambry again during the Perak convention and requested the menteri besar to make the announcement of the appointment.

However, he added that Zambry did not do so.

Najib promised to give MIC a senate seat after the latter gave up two state seats (Behrang and Hutan Melintang) during the 13th general election.

To date, MIC holds seven senatorships.