Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar has denied reports that his house has been raided by graft investigators.
When asked about it on Monday (April 17), the minister simply answered, “No.”
It was reported that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had raided his house and office on Sunday (April 16).
Quoting MACC sources, Sinar Harian reported that the graft-buster raided Sivakumar’s office and residence on Sunday.
The sources said this was in connection with the investigation into millions allegedly paid in kickbacks through a middleman for the guarantee of a government contract for certain individuals.
It is believed that the raids were part of the effort to piece together the money trail in the case.
According to sources, the raids were carried out immediately after the minister gave his statement to MACC.
Regarding his statement to the MACC on Sunday, Sivakumar reiterated that he and the ministry would give their full cooperation in the investigation.
Asked if he would be called in again, the minister said “No.”
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the minister was called in for his statement to be recorded.
“Yes, my investigators asked for the minister to come over so that his statement could be recorded,” he told The Star.
To a question, Azam said he had no details on the progress of the investigation yet.
One of Sivakumar’s officers said the minister spent some 30 minutes at the MACC office.
Last week, three people, including two of his officers, were picked up in connection with the case.
A senior officer of the minister and a businessman, aged between 40 and 50, were arrested as they arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Bangkok, Thailand.
The senior officer was said to be a former leader in the DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) wing.
Follow-up investigations led MACC to another Sivakumar aide.
This latter suspect is in her 50s and is believed to be holding the post of a private secretary. She was arrested after being called up for her statement to be recorded.
Meanwhile, the names of three aides to V Sivakumar, including his two senior officers, arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have been removed from the Human Resources Ministry’s website.
Checks also showed that the details of another aide of the Human Resources Minister who was believed to be a special officer has been removed from the minister’s office’s segment.
It is learnt that this aide, however, is not among the two arrested. The three are also believed to have been suspended from their duties.
Earlier report:
Apr 16, Sivakumar called up by MACC