Let MACC investigate issues involving HR minister, says Anwar

The government will leave it to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to carry out investigations involving Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar and his officials with regard to allegations over the recruitment of foreign workers, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. 

He also urged the public not to make any assumptions about the issue.

"We have to differentiate between the process of an investigation and being charged... so we leave the investigation to the MACC.

"Then, if there are no charges, it’s fine, and if there are, that would be another matter altogether," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

When asked if Sivakumar would need to go on leave until the investigations are complete, Anwar said that at the moment, there were no charges against the minister.

"There are no charges yet... in an investigation, (for example) even myself as the prime minister would have to comply by providing an explanation. I wouldn’t have to resign (at that point), would I?" he said.

Anwar also said that his government remained firm on matters related to governance and fighting corruption.

"In this matter, we don't care if it offends anyone, no matter who the figure or which party it involves, that is our position," he said.

Yesterday MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed that Sivakumar was summoned to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to assist with investigations following the arrest of several of his officers, believed to be due to allegations of corruption over the recruitment of foreign workers.

MACC recently arrested two of Sivakumar's senior officers believed to be linked to the issue.