SENIOR Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmaker Hassan Abdul Karim today said Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar should be on leave pending a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe into his two aides.

The Pasir Gudang MP said Sivakumar must set an example by taking a hiatus to allow the MACC to investigate without interference.

Hassan said this is vital as Sivakumar is a minister in the PH-led government, whose agenda it is to eradicate corruption.

“Don’t wait for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to order ministers whose ministries are under a corruption probe to go on leave or resign,” Hassan said in a statement today.

The two-term PKR MP said his statement was made as an MP supportive of the unity government and as a member of a corruption watchdog established under the MACC Act 2009.

“Every minister must be responsible in maintaining the good name of the government.

“The minister (Sivakumar) is not a suspect nor an accused person in the ongoing investigation, but the fact that he has been called in for questioning twice and MACC officials have visited his office and house is not a good thing.

“I believe Sivakumar has a clear and noble conscience, and as an experienced parliamentarian and political leader, he should take right action.

“I am not pushing or calling for him to resign now. It would at least be nice that he takes a break from his duties as a minister,” said Hassan.

Sivakumar came under fire after two of his aides were arrested and questioned by the MACC over a graft probe on migrant worker approvals. A businessman was also arrested and questioned.

All three were released after their remand orders expired.

The MACC has questioned Sivakumar twice regarding the matter.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said there is no need for Sivakumar to go on leave pending a probe into the case as the latter is not facing charges.

Sivakumar’s DAP leaders have also said it is not necessary for him to be suspended.

Following the probe into his aides, Sivakumar suspended three senior aides, including a private secretary and special functions officer, who were detained by the MACC.

The third officer suspended was also a special functions officer. 

Sources said Sivakumar had revoked two of the suspension orders.

All three of the senior aides’ names reappeared in the ministry’s staff directory yesterday. – April 23, 2023.