KUALA LUMPUR – Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar has confirmed that five officers from his ministry were terminated from their posts following their alleged involvement in a recent corruption and power abuse scandal.
Sivakumar, who is also Batu Gajah MP, said that the sackings were carried out to ensure that the ministry is able to carry out its duties properly.
“Yes, it did happen (the firing of the officers). It was done to ensure that this ministry can function in a smooth and proper manner,” media reports quoted him as saying when approached by reporters after an event in Bangi.
Sivakumar reportedly dodged queries on who had ordered the termination of the officers’ contracts.
Last week, 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.
A source close to the matter told The Vibes that Zaini was given the mandate to clean up the ministry and its related agencies.
Zaini is also said to be reviewing the contracts of several senior officers in the ministry and its agencies, with termination in mind.
Previously, it was reported that five officers attached to the minister had their services terminated with immediate effect while another officer from the ministry was said to have been transferred to the Public Service Department.
Last month, Sivakumar’s senior officer was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over allegations of corruption related to the recruitment of migrant workers.
Later, MACC proceeded to detain the minister’s private secretary while Sivakumar was also summoned for questioning.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had subsequently said that there is no need for Sivakumar to take leave pending the anti-graft investigations involving his aides as the minister is not a suspect in the case and is only providing his cooperation. – The Vibes, May 9, 2023
