Sivakumar says aides axed to ensure ministry functions well

 

Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar confirmed that five of his officers have been sacked amid an ongoing corruption and abuse of power probe.

He said this was done to ensure that the ministry can continue to function well.

"It did happen (the sacking of officers). It was to ensure that this ministry can function in a smooth and proper manner," he said after launching an event in Bangi this morning.

Sivakumar however did not elaborate when queried further about the matter.

He also sidestepped questions on who ordered the termination of the officers' contracts.

The minister then left without taking additional questions on the termination, including why the officers were sacked when they have yet to be charged or found guilty.

Last week, Malaysiakini reported that the five officers had their services terminated with immediate effect while another was transferred to the Public Services Department.

"Some of their contracts were terminated because of the MACC probe while others were due to poor performance," a source from the Prime Minister’s Department said.

All six officers were appointed by Sivakumar.

Last month, MACC raided the Human Resources Ministry in Putrajaya and arrested the minister's senior officer over allegations of corruption in the migrant workers’ recruitment process.

Subsequently, MACC also remanded Sivakumar's private secretary for four days while the minister himself was summoned for questioning.

In response, Sivakumar suspended three of his senior aides, including the private secretary and special functions officer detained by the anti-graft commission.

Of the three, one officer remained in suspension after being released while the other two had taken leave from work pending completion of the MACC probe.

Sources previously told Malaysiakini that one of the arrested officers could potentially influence approvals of hiring quotas from manpower agencies. - Mkini