[UPDATED] No need for Sivakumar to take leave amid MACC probe: Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – There is no need for Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar to take leave pending anti-graft investigations involving his aides, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

“In Sivakumar’s case, it is not appropriate for us to speculate in advance, he has only been called to give his statement on matters being raised by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC),” Anwar told reporters today after attending an event at Wisma Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, here.

“It’s still being investigated and no charges have been brought against him.

“We have to differentiate the investigation process, which is up to the MACC, from charges being pressed, they are different matters.”

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that there have not been any instructions from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for Sivakumar to take leave, as the Batu Gajah MP is not a suspect in the case and is only providing his cooperation.

“As far as we are concerned, he is not a suspect in this case. He is only giving his cooperation as a minister,” Loke said in a press conference at the ministry today.

“At this point, we will still observe the developments (of the case). There is no instruction from the prime minister for him to take leave,” he added.

Calls for the minister to take leave had come from the opposition, including Bersatu associate wing information chief S. Subramaniam, who said the DAP lawmaker should take a break pending the conclusion of the MACC’s probe involving the latter’s officers, so as to avoid a conflict of interest.

Anwar today reiterated that he will not compromise if any element of corruption is found in his government.

“The important thing is that, on the subject of assisting corruption dealings, we are firm and we don’t care whether (the action) to weed out the corrupt will offend anyone from any party. That’s our principle,” the prime minister said.

Sivakumar, who is Batu Gajah MP, gave his statement to the MACC yesterday.

At an event earlier today, he refuted media articles claiming his house was raided by the anti-graft body following his questioning yesterday, adding that he only gave his statement to the MACC and was not questioned as a suspect.

Sinar Harian had quoted a source as saying that the raid was in relation to allegations that the DAP lawmaker had accepted millions of ringgit from an individual in return for guaranteeing a government contract.

The MACC’s questioning of the minister follows the arrests of three individuals – two of his close aides and a migrant labour recruitment agent – last week.

Sivakumar’s special functions officer was arrested at Kuala Lumpur International Airport around 1am on Wednesday, together with the recruitment agent, after they arrived from Bangkok.

The following day, MACC officers proceeded to raid the Human Resources Ministry. Sivakumar’s private secretary was then arrested on Friday. – The Vibes, April 17, 2023

Additional reporting by Adam Ayyzat