KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Former human resources minister M. Kulasegaran expressed shock over his successor V. Sivakumar’s decision to employ an aide the former had sacked 15 years ago.

The Ipoh Barat MP told The Vibes in an interview that Sivakumar was his political secretary at the time of the sacking and was aware of the reasons why the officer had been fired.

"So, when I saw him (Sivakumar after the appointment), I asked him: ‘Why have you taken in an officer who we have removed? The decision-making process (in the appointment) was wrong.’

"He (Sivakumar) took a great risk. I had to relieve that person because he was involved in so many wrongdoings, and it was an instantaneous decision in 2008,” he was quoted as saying.

Kulasegaran also commented on Sivakumar’s choice of officers, saying that his decisions on this matter "may not have been the best by the minister”.

He reportedly said that Sivakumar may have overlooked the backgrounds of these people before appointing them.

"They are trusted officers with fiduciary relationships. They are the trusted eyes and ears of the minister because a lot of things depend on them,” he was quoted as saying.

However, he said that Sivakumar’s mistakes do not merit dismissal from his ministerial post.

The matter was still "premature” as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has not yet confirmed any wrongdoing on the part of the Batu Gajah MP, Kulasegaran reportedly said.

"It is very early to take action against him because now the ball is in the MACC’s court.

"(MACC) will have to (eventually) come out (with a finding from investigations) because it’s a very pressing matter involving public opinion and sentiment and disturbs the whole rhythm of the ministry,” he was quoted as saying.

Earlier this month, Sivakumar reportedly confirmed the sacking of five officers from his ministry following a recent corruption and power abuse probe over the quota for the recruitment of foreign workers.

On April 13, an aide to Sivakumar was arrested together with a recruitment agent by MACC allegedly over the quota for recruiting foreign workers and a day later another suspect identified as Sivakumar’s female private secretary was also arrested by the anti-graft agency.