KUALA LUMPUR — Datuk Shahul Hameed Dawood has stepped down as chief executive of the Human Resource Development Corp (HRD Corp).
The agency in an Instagram post announced his departure today that comes after five years at the helm, hailing as a leader who “dares to dream”.
“Today, we mark the end of an era. After 5 extraordinary years, Datuk Wira Shahul Dawood, the visionary force behind HRD Corp, takes his final bow as our Chief Executive.
“From transformative reforms to trailblazing initiatives, he led with heart, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to Malaysia’s workforce. His journey wasn’t just about leadership but building a purpose-driven legacy,” HRD Corp’s post said, ending the post with a heartfelt “Thank you, Boss”.
Shahul went on garden leave in July last year over a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into the government-linked corporation. He said his administrative leave was taken voluntarily to allow MACC room to conduct its investigations.
The Auditor-General’s Report on HRD Corp last year had highlighted irregularities, such as the alleged misuse of levies collected from employers meant for training purposes that were instead spent on investments and asset purchases.
Parliament’s Public Account Committee also held its own inquiry on HRD Corp, releasing a three-volume report which found that its management had practiced poor governance while undertaking suspicious procurement methods for real estate which could have caused the corporation to suffer losses.
In November last year, PAC said it would hold follow up sessions with HRD Corp representatives as part of its ongoing inquiry.
In January this year, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the his agency was still investigating HRD Corp, correcting earlier reports on an MACC officer telling PAC hearing that no wrongdoing had been found. – April 14, 2024