Go on leave until MACC completes probe, PKR MP tells Sivakumar

Hassan (left) has urged Sivakumar (right) to go on leave as the Human Resources Minister until the MACC probe is completed.

PETALING JAYA: V. Sivakumar should go on leave as the Human Resources Minister until the graft probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is completed, says PKR’s Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim.

Hassan said the leave is necessary to show that Pakatan Harapan leaders are serious in the fight against corruption.

“I’m of the opinion that Sivakumar should show a positive example by taking leave from his duties as a minister until the MACC investigation is complete,” he said.

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Hassan said that as a minister, Sivakumar should be familiar with the principles of collective responsibility and ministerial responsibility in the Cabinet of the unity government.

“Don’t wait until Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim orders the minister whose ministry was involved in corruption to take leave or resign,” said Hassan.

“Every minister has a responsibility to uphold the good name of the government led by Anwar, who is currently cracking down on corruption in the government machinery,” he added in a statement on Sunday (April 23).

Hassan added that while Sivakumar isn't a suspect in the MACC investigation, the fact that he was called twice by graft-busters to have his statement taken and that his home and office were searched is not something to be admired.

“I’m not pressuring or urging him to resign now, but he should’ve at least taken leave from his duties as a minister,” said Hassan.

On April 12, Sivakumar’s special functions officer and private secretary were recently arrested in connection with a case involving the recruitment of foreign workers.

Anwar had said on April 17 that Sivakumar doesn’t need to resign as he was merely being investigated and not charged.