KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has recalled a minister for additional statements in its investigation involving millions of ringgit being paid out to secure government contracts, Utusan Malaysia reported today.

Citing an unnamed source, the Malay daily reported that the MACC is looking for more people to assist in its investigations that payments were made through a middleman, and a political party leader could be among those called up.

“The testimonies may involve several witnesses consisting of ministerial officers, contractor companies, and agencies under the ministry to strengthen the investigation.

“Perhaps also, there will be a leader of a political party who takes care of the party's finances, who is linked to the minister, that will be summoned, but that depends on the investigation after this.

“So far, it is understood that the MACC took statements from the minister once more after last Sunday after the latter went to its headquarters in Putrajaya,” the source was quoted as saying.

The Malay daily did not report the name of the minister, but Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar confirmed to reporters that he had his statement recorded at the anti-graft agency on April 16, although he denied that he was a suspect in the ongoing investigations.

Utusan Malaysia reported yesterday that the MACC had searched the minister's office and home as part of its investigation into the alleged corruption of a businessman who was arrested along with two ministerial aides.

It was reported that the MACC did not find any evidence needed.

On April 13, an aide to Sivakumar was arrested together with a recruitment agent by the MACC allegedly over quota for recruiting foreign workers, which was the purview of the Human Resources Ministry.

A day later another suspect identified as Sivakumar’s female private secretary became the latest person to be arrested by the anti-graft agency since investigations began. - malaymail