Comment 2 for bug 498839

The indicator applet should be added to the panel automatically after installation, ONLY if the user has selected during installation a different keyboard layout. So the applet shouldn't be there by default for all installs. Other operating systems, such as Windows do this, and users migrating from there expect this behavior. From my experiences with new Ubuntu users, they are having difficulty adding the applet them selfs, because it's not well advertised that you can add additional applets in the panel. It's kind of a hidden feature. Also the keyboard configuration app, doesn't provide a way to add the applet or mention of its availability.

You are right Pedro that it has never been there, so consider this bug a wishlist item. Tell me if you need additional details.

Thanks