HR Ministry scandal stain on DAP’s image: Kulasegaran

KUALA LUMPUR – DAP’s reputation as a party with zero tolerance for corruption has been somewhat smeared by the scandal at the Human Resources Ministry, a party leader said.

For a party that preaches good governance and competency, accountability, and transparency, the integrity issues faced by the ministry are not doing DAP any favours, said its vice-chairman M. Kulasegaran.

“It’s a shock, and it should not have happened, because my party is very clear on having zero corruption,” he told The Vibes in an interview recently.

“We have stood up against this matter since our inception in 1966. 

“It has gone to the level where the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) has gone to the ministry and investigated… obviously, there is no outcome yet.”

The Ipoh Barat MP, a former human resources minister, said that while the present minister V. Sivakumar, who is the party’s representative in the cabinet, has not faced any charges or accusations of wrongdoing, the fact that five of his officers were picked up by graft busters within three months of the new Madani government’s formation is embarrassing for DAP.   

Kulasegaran said the notion that the scandal in the ministry had affected DAP’s image arose because it is a party that prides itself on being graft-free.

“The principle by which the party stays and lives still goes on; there’s no question about that.

But to be fair to the minister, the investigations are still ongoing. So we require MACC to determine the final outcome.

“There must be closure. Otherwise, how can there be an investigation without any basis?

“We have to wait and give the minister the benefit of the doubt. 

“Secondly, we believe in a system where the person is innocent until proven guilty.”

Kulasegaran also pointed out that authorities have taken action on the matter, and that is why several people have been suspended, removed, or transferred from the ministry.

Multi-tier levy system way to go?

To avoid potential abuse in the recruitment of migrant workers for the country, the government can prepare a white paper to present to Parliament and the public, Kulasegaran suggested.

He added that the government can also consider reviving his initial plans to introduce a multi-tier levy system, which is similar to the one implemented in Singapore.

“During my time as minister, we sent officers to Singapore to learn about the permit system where there is no personal meeting between an applicant and the approval person. 

“So, no government officers will know how many workers have to be approved, and who will be getting it (the approval).”

The multi-tier system will also (transparently) tell applicants about their entitlement (of quota) due to given reasons. 

“It’s fantastic, because big companies, which employ a lot of foreign workers, go through the system and have it done.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t have the opportunity to implement it in 2020 (as) we lost power.

“The new government then shelved it and postponed it… the present government has not put it into play.” – The Vibes, May 29, 2023