KUALA LUMPUR – Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has reiterated its intent to summon two key figures next week as part of its probe into the embattled Human Resource Development Corp (HRD Corp).
In a statement today, PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the proceedings to scrutinise the management of HRD Corp’s training funds and the effectiveness of its programmes will be held on October 23.
Witnesses to be summoned for the proceedings are Datuk Amran Ahmad, who is the Human Resources Ministry’s deputy secretary-general for policy and international, and HRD Corp chief executive Datuk Shahul Dawood.
“Since the issue is not reported in the Auditor-General’s Report, the PAC will be using its powers under 77(1)(d) of the Dewan Rakayat’s Standing Orders,” read the statement.
Last month, the PAC said it would conduct investigations into HRD Corp, but its timing and reasons were not disclosed at that time.
Previously known as the Human Resource Development Fund, HRD Corp is under the purview of the Human Resources Ministry.
Earlier today, Scoop reported that former human resources minister M. Kulasegaran has cautioned the government about the alarming potential for abuse and corruption related to the proposed revival of a special fund allocation by HRD Corp.
Kulasegaran told Scoop his concerns regarding the Budget 2024 proposal to reallocate a percentage of employers’ levy contributions, which could amount to hundreds of millions of ringgit annually, potentially liable to misappropriation.
The Ipoh Barat MP also pointed out that during his tenure as human resources minister in 2018, he had abolished the poll fund allocation upon discovering that it was subjected to misuse, leading to the establishment of the Governance Oversight Committee.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the tabling of the budget last Friday, announced an RM1.6-billion allocation for HRD Corp, enabling the creation of 1.7 million training opportunities.
Anwar also revealed HRD Corp’s plan to re-establish a dedicated fund within the Madani training scheme, aimed at enhancing the skills of SME entrepreneurs and supporting vulnerable groups, including individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, retirees and ex-convicts.
The following day, HRD Corp mentioned the reallocation of 15% of part of the employer’s levy contribution, consisting of funds unused by employers according to the period set by HRD Corp, as stipulated by the Human Resources Development Bhd Act 2001.
It was previously reported that the Finance Ministry discovered discrepancies in a contract procurement process worth between RM53 million and RM159.47 million involving a key official in HRD Corp. – October 19, 2023