EMBATTLED Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar might not be aware that his aides were engaged in corrupt practices but he has no excuse to be totally innocent in the matter either as the wrongdoings were committed right under his nose.
Netizen GanMu described the entire incident as a shame and setback to Prime Minister’s Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government especially when the former is a strong advocate for a clean and corrupt-free government.
“Sivakumar has a lot of explaining to do and it’s a situation of a double-edged sword for him. If he was aware of the extent of his aides’ involvement, why did he not take action against them?” asked GanMu who posed his thoughts in the Malaysiakini commentary section.
“On the other hand, if he was not aware, what on earth was he doing? Why was he so lax and incompetent in his duties? As the head, he should have exercised due diligence in his work.
“Suspending the three senior aides, after they were detained by the MACC, shows his incompetence in taking action a little too late. Had he been alert and hands on, I am pretty sure, he may have caught the culprits.”
For context, the Batu Gajah MP has given his statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday (April 16) morning after two of his senior officers were remanded over allegations of graft in relation to the recruitment of foreign workers.
On Wednesday (April 12), a senior officer along with a businessman were detained in connection with the case. The two suspects, aged between 40 and 50, were picked up at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) around 1am upon their arrival from Bangkok.
While the senior officer was said to be a former leader in the DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) wing, the later suspect in her 50s is believed to be holding the post of a private secretary in the HR Ministry.
Netizen “apanama is back” expressed surprise that Sivakumar is unaware of the shenanigans given that the corruption scale of RM97 mil would suggest that the “minister’s approval” is needed beforehand.
“This is the ministerial protocol. You should had known about it. Do not tell me that they used you. Like (Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) mentioned, someone used him in 1MDB case. Unless you are incompetent,” chided the Malaysiakini subscriber.
“To facilitate the investigation, to save the ministry’s image and that of the unity government and DAP as well, you need to tender your resignation immediately.”
Added the netizen: “Moreover, DAP set a high standard. Do not compare with (Datuk Seri Ahmad) Zahid (Hamidi). Zahid, too, needs to be sacked but the PM will not do it. Yes, it is double standard. But you are from DAP. Are you an associate leader of UMNO Baru?”
Netizen Madani Malaysia, too, feels that it is inconceivable that the minister was oblivious to what was going on right under his nose.
“He has no excuse. Suspending them (his aides) is not an option. It is akin to shutting the stable doors after the horses have bolted. This doesn’t mean Sivakumar is involved but it certainly is a blot in his standing as a DAP representative. And it is a pity this had to happen to the lone Indian minister in the Cabinet.”
Elsewhere, Anonymous_47029368 suggests that DAP should urge its minister to resign to facilitate MACC investigations and to avoid conflict of interest given the likelihood of “more and more people close to the minister (getting) implicated”.
Seconding him is Salvage Malaysia who is waiting for “our wise old sage, Uncle Lim Kit Siang (LKS) to comment on what’s his take on this scandal?”
“So far, the PM quiet and so is Uncle LKS. Is suspending his own senior aides while the minister retains his own position the right example of this zero tolerance to corruption government? Your comments please PMX (Anwar) and Uncle LKS.” – April 17, 2023
