PETALING JAYA: The human resources ministry has denied claims that its minister, Steven Sim, had appointed anyone as his adviser following reports linking a businessman accused of fraud to his office.
Sim’s press secretary, Abdul Hakim Ab Rahman, said the ministry is aware of the allegations, Bernama reported.
“Any inquiries regarding positions within the minister’s office or the human resources ministry should be directed to the ministry’s official channels,” he was quoted as saying in a statement today.
The clarification follows a news report alleging that a businessman with a “Tan Sri” title, arrested on Saturday for allegedly defrauding the public of RM10 million, was also an adviser to the minister.
The 59-year-old, who has 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, was apprehended by Bukit Aman’s anti-money laundering team upon returning to his house at Jalan U Thant, Kuala Lumpur, after a trip to Osaka, Japan.