HRD Corp Suspends Three Top Executives Over Audit, MACC Findings

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) has suspended three senior management officers following reports by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Auditor-General, and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

In a statement today, HRD Corp said the action was taken based on findings and recommendations concerning the management of unused levies, the acquisition of Menara Ikhlas and the corporation’s equity investments.

“The matter also includes recent findings on the RM14 million New Core System, which has been delayed for over four years after three failed User Acceptance Tests,” the statement read.

Chief executive Datuk Shamir Aziz stressed that the remedial and governance measures align with the aspirations of Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan, who emphasises higher standards of integrity, transparency and accountability.

He added that the measures aim to ensure HRD Corp’s management delivers a positive impact to employers and the nation’s workforce, in line with the spirit of MADANI Bekerja.

“HRD Corp will carry out a transparent internal investigation with a clear mandate, scope, and terms of reference, covering documents, financial records, approvals, meeting minutes, audit trails, as well as statements from involved officers, following principles of natural justice and maintaining confidentiality,” he said.

The statement added that HRD Corp secured a settlement of about 18 per cent of its outstanding structured investment portfolio, generating RM151.8 million in returns during the first week of the new chief executive’s tenure, demonstrating rapid recovery and better safeguarding of investments.

“To strengthen governance, approved training programmes can only be implemented after 21 days to three months from the date of approval. This allows employers and training providers sufficient time for planning, including venue booking, participant registration, and logistics,” the statement read.

HRD Corp disclosed that the absence of systematic monitoring had weakened governance, with some programmes conducted before approval and grant applications submitted afterward.

The Corporation said it will strengthen monitoring and enforcement by deploying officers on the ground to oversee training, to boost compliance, accountability and governance in line with Malaysia MADANI and ensure development benefits all sectors.

-- BERNAMA