Sivakumar’s refusal to resign over MACC probe problematic, says analyst

 

Human resources minister V Sivakumar insisted that he would not resign despite calls for him to do so. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: V Sivakumar’s refusal to take leave or resign as human resources minister amid an ongoing graft probe will pose a problem to his party DAP and the unity government, says an analyst.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said Sivakumar should be on leave to allow the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to complete its investigation into the recruitment of foreign workers, which has seen three of the minister’s aides arrested.

“A corruption case as early as five months into the unity government’s administration is difficult to accept, especially when considering Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s firm stance on corruption and misuse of power,” Hisomuddin told FMT.

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Yesterday, Sivakumar insisted that he would not resign despite calls by several quarters for him to go on leave after he was summoned by MACC as part of its probe.

Hisomuddin said Sivakumar’s refusal to resign or go on leave would be a liability to Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional, who are partners in the unity government, in the six state elections set to be held after June.

On April 17, Anwar said there was no need for Sivakumar to go on garden leave as he had only been summoned to give his statement to MACC, adding that no charges had been brought against the minister.

The anti-graft agency had arrested Sivakumar’s three aides and released them after the four-day remand order expired on April 17.

Sources previously told FMT that two of the three aides had returned to work while another had been suspended with pay.

Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia said Sivakumar should only resign if there was evidence proving his involvement in the case.

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He said the Batu Gajah MP must prove his innocence in order to convince voters and PH supporters.

He also said the case would be used by PH’s political opponents in the same manner as how they pounced on the corruption cases against former prime minister Najib Razak and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. - FMT