KUALA LUMPUR: Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar has confirmed that five of his officers implicated in a Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations involving the recruitment of foreign workers, have had their contracts terminated.
He said the officers were removed from their posts to ensure the ministry "functioned smoothly".
The DAP member of parliament for Batu Gajah however declined to say who had ordered for the termination to take place.
"That (the sacking) was done because we wanted to ensure the ministry could function smoothly," he said in a brief reply when queried by reporters after a function here.
Sivakumar remained mum when asked why the officers were sacked even though the MACC investigation had yet to be concluded.
It was previously reported that two aides of Sivakumar and a recruitment agent were arrested by the MACC in connection with a case involving the quota for foreign worker recruitment, which is under the purview of the Human Resources Ministry.
Since then pressure has also been mounting on Sivakumar to go on leave pending investigations into the case.
However, many have also come out in his defence, saying that he is not tied to the investigations.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also said there is no need for the minister to take leave.
Sivakumar has said he would follow Anwar's wishes.
Asked what was his response to repeated calls for him to quit, Sivakumar told the New Straits Times: "The PM has already answered that question. Let it be. Let the PM decide on it."