The Batu Gajah MP was the only minister dropped in the reshuffle, which saw him being replaced by former deputy finance minister Steven Sim.

“I respect the prime minister’s (decision). I have done my best,” Sivakumar told New Straits Times.

“(I) would like to thank all ministry staff for their excellent cooperation with me.”

In April, Sivakumar rejected calls by several quarters for him to resign or go on garden leave after he was summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as part of a probe into the recruitment of foreign workers.

The anti-graft agency arrested three of his aides, releasing them after their four-day remand order expired.

Sivakumar sacked five of his aides after the probe.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said then that there was no need for Sivakumar to go on garden leave as he had only been summoned to give his statement to MACC.

He also said no charges had been brought against the minister.