PUTRAJAYA, February 9 – The HRD Corp issue continues to attract attention as Human Resources Minister Steven Sim insists that all concerns raised by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have been addressed. However, the decision to allow HRD Corp CEO Shahul Hameed Dawood to return to work despite the ongoing investigation has raised questions among government critics.
Sim stated that the matter has been handed over to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and that they are now waiting for the investigation’s outcome.
“Did the PAC report recommend that anyone be dismissed? The PAC has released its report, and we have resolved the issues raised,” he said during HRD Corp’s Chinese New Year Open House in Puchong.
However, this statement has sparked doubts, with government critics questioning whether the PAC’s findings have been disregarded.
Previously, HRD Corp came under scrutiny after the National Audit Department recommended that the Human Resources Ministry refer the company to relevant enforcement agencies following its failed audit report. The PAC also suggested that the ministry appoint an independent consultant to conduct a forensic audit of HRD Corp’s training programs.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, confirmed in a written response to Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin that MACC is still investigating issues related to HRD Corp’s management.
With the CEO back in office, the MACC investigation still ongoing, and the PAC’s recommendations seemingly ignored – is this issue truly resolved, or is it just a political game? Government critics continue to question this decision.