'No, no, no': Sivakumar denies raid, MACC source calls it 'visit'

Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar has denied that MACC raided his house and office in relation to a probe on migrant worker approvals.

“No, no no,” he retorted when asked about a news report on the alleged raid at the sidelines of an event in Putrajaya this morning.

However, a MACC source told Malaysiakini that a team had gone to the minister’s residence and office but it was not a raid.

“We visited the house and office but there was no raid,” he said, without elaborating.

Yesterday, MACC recorded a statement from the minister, whose private secretary and special functions officer had been arrested in connection with the probe.

This news portal reported that Sivakumar has suspended the pair and another senior aide.

Meanwhile, the MACC source claimed that the DAP lawmaker, who arrived at the commission’s headquarters in Putrajaya about 10am yesterday, left more than 10 hours later.

“I am not sure if it took 10 hours to record his statement or if he was in the building due to other matters,” he added.

Malaysiakini has contacted MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki for comment.

Migrant worker recruitment agency

Previously, it was reported that the anti-graft watchdog is investigating allegations that those involved had set up a migrant worker recruitment agency to obtain approval from the ministry despite conflicts of interest.

Industry sources told Malaysiakini that one of the arrested officers, in his senior position, could potentially influence approvals of hiring quotas from manpower agencies.

Last month, Sivakumar announced that the quota application and approval for foreign workers, including through the Foreign Worker Employment Relaxation Plan, have been temporarily suspended.

He had at the time said the suspension was to enable employers, who have already been granted quotas, to start making plans for the immediate entry of foreign workers. - Mkini