HRD CORP: HUMAN RESOURCES MINISTRY MULLS LODGING POLICE REPORT

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Human Resources is considering lodging a police report regarding governance issues related to the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) as revealed in the Auditor General's Report (LKAN) Series 2/2024.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said that so far, a report has been made to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and the ministry has also conducted an independent audit by a third party on HRD Corp.

"As I said, it is not my intention to point fingers or protect anyone, especially those who are guilty. If the investigation points to any individual being guilty, I will not hesitate to take appropriate action, regardless of whether they are a minister, deputy minister, or top management," he said when winding up the debate on LKAN Series 2/2024 for the ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.

"This is our determination and commitment, and it has been demonstrated by taking transparent steps and responding to the public," he said, while citing the Malay proverb '’jangan pula kerana marahkan nyamuk, kelambu dibakar" (Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater).

The HRD Corp governance issues, as revealed in LKAN 2/2024 last week, heated up the debate session on the report's motion at the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Tuesday.

Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) suggested that the Minister of Human Resources bring the HRD Corp issue to the police so that a comprehensive investigation can be carried out.

Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) also demanded that a thorough investigation be conducted, including the possibility of power abuse within HRD Corp, especially during the period from 2020 to 2022.

Auditor General Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi in LKAN 2/2024 revealed that there were actions and decisions taken by HRD Corp management that did not comply with procedures and did not safeguard interests in achieving the company's founding functions.

The Public Accounts Committee was also reported to have revealed that RM3.77 billion in levy collections from employers was used by the HRD Corp Training Programme to invest in various investment activities that were not the agency's intended objectives.

In LKAN 2/2024, Wan Suraya recommended that HRD Corp management be referred to the relevant enforcement agencies due to the failure of the government company in the conducted audit.

-- BERNAMA