KUALA LUMPUR – Former human resources minister M. Kulasegaran says he was ‘shocked’ to have learned that his successor and fellow party member V. Sivakumar had appointed an aide who was sacked from his office more than a decade ago.
Amid the scandal involving the recruitment of foreign workers plaguing the ministry, Kulasegaran said the aide in question – who is among at least five individuals to be terminated from their posts earlier this month – was, in fact, relieved from his duties 15 years ago.
In an interview with The Vibes recently, the DAP politician noted that the current minister, who was his own political secretary at the time, was well aware of the reasons why the officer was fired from the job.
“So, when I saw him (Sivakumar after the appointment), I asked him: “Why have you taken in an officer who we have removed? The decision-making process (in the appointment) was wrong.”
“He (Sivakumar) took a great risk. I had to relieve that person because he was involved in so many wrongdoings, and it was an instantaneous decision in 2008,” the Ipoh Barat MP said when asked to comment on the matter.
“I was shocked that the officer was in the government, but now they (all officers) have been relieved of their duties. When Sivakumar appointed the officer, he never consulted me. But the minister has his own prerogative, and I can’t interfere.”
In early May, The Vibes reported that the five officers were sacked under a directive issued by the ministry’s freshly appointed chief secretary, Datuk Seri Zaini Ujang, who was reportedly given the mandate to clean up the ministry and its related agencies.
In April, Sivakumar’s senior officer was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over allegations of corruption related to recruiting migrant workers.
Given the significance of their roles in the ministry upon their appointments, Kulasegaran said Sivakumar’s choice of certain officers “may not have been the best by the minister”.
“Maybe he has overlooked checking their background properly prior to their appointments. When a minister appoints aides, they become very close officers,” Kulasegeran said.
“They are trusted officers with fiduciary relationships. They are the trusted eyes and ears of the minister because a lot of things depend on them.”
Why is Sivakumar still there?
Despite public outcry and calls for Sivakumar’s removal from the ministry pending investigations, Kulasegaran believes the Batu Gajah MP can remain in the ministerial post.
Kulasegaran said he believes the matter is still “premature”, as the MACC has yet to confirm any wrongdoing on Sivakumar’s part.
“It is very early to take action against him because now the ball is in the MACC’s court. They (MACC) will have to (eventually) come out (with a finding from investigations) because it’s a very pressing matter involving public opinion and sentiment and disturbs the whole rhythm of the ministry,” Kulasegaran said. – The Vibes, May 28, 2023
