KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is set to summon nine individuals to record statements to aid in the investigation into issues plaguing the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp).
Speaking to Scoop, MACC’s Investigation Division senior director, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim, said that the questioning, initially scheduled for today, has been postponed to tomorrow as some documents are yet to be obtained.
“The process of recording witness statements has been postponed until tomorrow as documents are still being reviewed and some have yet to be obtained,” he said briefly when contacted today.
However, he did not disclose the identities of the individuals involved when asked about the witnesses.
Earlier, MACC officers visited the HRD Corp headquarters again this afternoon following the seizure of some documents yesterday.
Yesterday, Scoop reported that the MACC had visited the headquarters of the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) in Putrajaya and HRD Corp’s building in Bukit Damansara to obtain documents for the investigation.
The investigation focuses on issues of corruption, abuse of power, and misconduct under the MACC Act 2009.
Last Saturday, the MACC identified several issues requiring documents and statements from involved parties related to the HRD Corp case.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said that the issues include investment, fund management and training, property acquisition, and others.
This follows recommendations from Auditor-General Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi, in the Auditor-General’s (A-G) Report 2024 and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) concerning alleged irregularities in HRD Corp.
Previously, Kesuma agreed to the recommendations presented by the Auditor-General’s Report to refer HRD Corp’s management to the relevant enforcement agencies after the government agency was audited.
PAC revealed that RM3.77 billion collected from employers was used by HRD Corp to invest in various unrelated activities.
The PAC report also disclosed that the HRD Corp investment panel failed to report the investment activities to the board of directors on the grounds that the investment panel chairperson was also the board’s chairperson.
Following this, the A-G advised Kesuma to take appropriate action against the HRD Corp management over the irregularities by referring them to the relevant enforcement agencies.
The A-G also urged HRD Corp to review the need for amendments to the agency’s constitution regarding management and operations to comply with the provisions under the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad Act 2001. – July 10, 2024
